Met targets high street crime in crackdown on money laundering and exploitation

Officers have seized counterfeit goods and suspected illegal cash as part of the Met’s drive to make high streets safer and tackle crime which impacts local communities.

The Met carried out a series of visits to 30 venues across London as part of ongoing work to disrupt money laundering and the exploitation of vulnerable workers.

Working with partners including HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), Immigration Enforcement, Modern Slavery and local authorities, local officers targeted a range of cash-intensive businesses believed to be linked to criminal activity.

These included barbershops, fast food outlets, car workshops, nail bars, money service bureaus and other high street venues.

The enforcement activity resulted in the seizure of counterfeit goods worth £240,000, around 1,200 illegal vapes and £22,000 in cash.

Officers also recovered illegal knives that had been on display for sale and seized fraudulent tills and chip-and-pin machines. They also removed 57 hazardous toys that pose a risk to children’s safety.

Detective Superintendent Kerry Wood, Head of the Met’s Economic Crime Unit, said:

“This operation shows the Met’s commitment to keeping London’s high streets safe, fair and free from criminal exploitation.

“Criminal networks use cash-heavy businesses to hide illicit profits, exploit vulnerable workers and undercut honest traders. Our work focuses on disrupting that activity by seizing illegal goods, removing criminal cash and gathering vital evidence for ongoing investigations.

“We are committed to protecting communities and supporting legitimate businesses, while ensuring anyone seeking to profit from criminal activity is identified and held to account.”

HMRC supported activity at 14 venues and has since launched five new investigations. Immigration Enforcement officers supported visits to 13 venues, and technology firm Apple assisted officers at six locations where counterfeit devices were identified.

The modern slavery team attended 7 venues, acting on intelligence surrounding forced labour with workers believed to have been trafficked into the country against their will. Police and local authorities have also begun closure proceedings against seven venues.

The activity is part of a National Crime Agency coordinated initiative, with the Met’s Economic Crime Unit leading enforcement across the capital.

The Met will continue working with partners to protect businesses and tackle organised crime across London.