Fighting the crime gangs taking over the UK high streets | BBC News

Key Concepts:

• Illegal tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes
• High street crime
• Trading Standards
• Stash cars
• Closure orders
• Immigration crime
• Runners
• Asylum seekers

Illegal Tobacco and Vape Seizures:

• Councils across Britain seized illegal tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes from over 3,500 high street premises last year.
• Despite the high number of seizures, fewer than 300 premises were temporarily shut down by local authorities.

Government Response:

• The government states its determination to combat the problem and is increasing police presence in town centers.

Newport Case Study:

• Trading Standards in Newport showed the extent of the problem, highlighting shops repeatedly closed for selling illegal cigarettes but quickly reopening.
• One shop owner, Alibaba, confronted Trading Standards officers demanding his keys back after his shop was closed.
• Trading Standards officers witnessed the open sale of illegal cigarettes, with runners transporting goods between shops and stash cars.
• A legitimate business owner, Errol, expressed anger and frustration at the illegal shops, fearing for the future of his community and his children. He stated, "Customer say I cannot send my children on the pill this all criminal and nonab illegal tab sell cocaine heroine gun everything woman yes everything."

Swansea Case Study:

• Trading Standards in Swansea reported similar issues, including illegal vape sales and the use of stash cars to supply illegal cigarettes across the city.
• One shop had been raided "at least a dozen" times.
• Stash cars were found to be used for both tobacco and drug trafficking, with one car smelling strongly of cannabis.
• Trading Standards officers noted the involvement of asylum seekers as runners, transporting tobacco to shops.

Impact on the Community:

• Daniel, a local resident, expressed concern about the prevalence of illegal activities and the feeling of unsafety, considering moving back to Hong Kong. He stated, "UK just a magnet for everything, isn't it?"
• Residents were often too scared to speak out, with one shop worker witnessing an acid attack.
• Another resident stated, "There's no control. Once one of them gets in, all the rest get in. They drugs." and expressed that the high street no longer felt like home.

Trading Standards Operations:

• Trading Standards officers track stash cars used to transport illegal goods.
• They conduct raids on shops selling illegal tobacco and vapes.
• They issue closure orders to shut down offending premises, although these are often temporary.

Immigration Crime:

• The report highlights the involvement of asylum seekers in the illegal tobacco trade, working as runners.

Conclusion:

The report paints a concerning picture of the prevalence of illegal tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes on British high streets. Despite efforts by Trading Standards and government initiatives, the problem persists, impacting local communities, legitimate businesses, and the overall sense of safety. The involvement of organized crime, immigration issues, and the fear of speaking out further complicate the situation.