New legislation will allow police to shut “dodgy” vape shops, barbers, and nail salons for up to a year in a bid to crack down on organised crime on high streets. The new law, due to be introduced later this year, will double the maximum six-month closure period currently allowed under existing rules.
Extended Closure Orders to Aid Investigations
The Home Office says the current six-month limit has led to businesses reopening before investigations are finished. Increasing the maximum timeframe for temporary closure orders will give investigators more time to gather evidence, pursue prosecutions, and identify the criminal bosses acting behind the scenes.
The Government also plans to bring in secondary legislation to extend the closure orders by the end of the year following consultation. Officials are urgently reviewing the inclusion of vape shops, barbers, and car washes on the skilled-worker sponsorship list amid concerns about abuse of the visa system.
Home Secretary Announces Crackdown
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “High streets across the country have been hijacked by criminal gangs operating in plain sight - running vape stores, dodgy barbers, and nail salons to launder their dirty money. I have launched a nationwide crackdown to raid and close thousands of illegal businesses, arrest bosses, and seize their dirty cash. But I will go further – introducing new laws to close these shops for good and put criminal bosses behind bars.”
Support from Trading Standards
John Herriman, chief executive at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said: “Closure orders are a key enforcement tool for trading standards officers in tackling ‘dodgy shops’ but our members have made us aware of challenges that limit their current impact.”
The new measures are part of a broader effort to reclaim high streets from organised crime, ensuring that legitimate businesses can thrive without being undermined by illegal activities.
