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Written question asked by Matt Vickers (Conservative) on Friday, 9 October 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. It was answered by Sarah Jones (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 October 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Retail Trade: Enforcement

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department collects on enforcement action taken against non-compliant retail premises on high streets; and whether she plans to publish data on (a) inspections, (b) closure orders, (c) seizures and (d) prosecutions arising from the Government's high street enforcement programme.

Answer

On 19 May, the Government announced a £30 million, three-year crackdown targeting cash-intensive businesses on our high streets, including activity to disrupt money laundering and illegal working.

Operational activity is being coordinated by the National Crime Agency, in conjunction with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, with partner agencies collecting data on enforcement outcomes including premises visited, arrests and seizures.

In parallel, the High Street Organised Crime Unit is developing a longer-term strategic response, including consideration of stronger powers and better coordination to prevent criminal activity. The Unit is working across Government, including with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and HM Revenue and Customs, to support development of the High Street Strategy.

More broadly, we want local partners to take a joined-up, place-based approach to the problems that make high streets feel unsafe, bringing together policing, local authorities and other agencies to identify and tackle the premises, offenders and locations causing the greatest harm.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
31319
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Inspections Enforcement Prosecutions Retail trade Seized articles
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk