The government is investing £20m in specialist National Crime Agency officers to investigate and tackle illegal activity at shops used as fronts for organised crime to launder illicit money, sell illegal vapes, cigarettes and drugs. And it can’t come soon enough.
Trading standards teams will be allocated an additional £6m, helping to rebuild capacity lost through the years of cuts under the Tories.
There has been a marked increase in convenience stores, takeaways and barbers including in Oldham and though many will be legitimate businesses trading as normal, some may not be. It is for the benefit of law abiding businesses too often tarred with the same brush that action is needed, as well as the wider public good.
Greater Manchester Police will benefit from additional officers and I will be asking what is intended for Oldham and that there is information shared on enforcement activity.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 