Labour's high street failure: Nine in 10 'dodgy' shops still open despite pledge to crackdown on illicit goods
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By SOPHIE CHURCH - POLITICAL REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
Nine in ten dodgy high street shops remain open for business despite Labour launching increased numbers of raids last year, the Daily Mail can reveal.
In proof Labour's crackdown on high street crime is stalling, more than 4,000 shops were raided for illicit tobacco, cigarettes and vapes in 2025 – yet fewer than one in 10 subsequently closed.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood vowed in May that 'organised crime gangs will be hit with raids, shop closures, and cash seizures in a £30 million crackdown on dodgy high street shops' – in a nod to the deepening crisis in Britain's shopping districts.
And Andy Burnham pledged to save 'hollowed out high streets' on becoming Prime Minister.
But despite Labour stepping up raids by nearly 1,000 from 2024 to 2025, more than nine in 10 are still trading with just eight per cent of offending premises temporarily closed last year, according to official government data.
In one case, local authority Newham seized illicit products from 94 shops in 2025 – but did not force any shops to close.
This comes despite police forces reporting lower levels of crime after ridding the high street of such outlets.
Greater Manchester Police found that shutting 206 criminal establishments led to a 45 per cent decline in public order offences, a 69 per cent decline in vehicle crime and violent crime, and a 58 per cent reduction in burglary.
Greater Manchester Police found that shutting criminal establishments led to a reduction in crime
In proof Labour's crackdown on high street crime is stalling, more than 4,000 shops were raided for illicit tobacco, cigarettes and vapes in 2025 – yet fewer than one in 10 subsequently closed
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Daily Mail: 'Criminal gangs have blighted our high streets and undercut honest businesses for too long. This report shows the scale of the challenge we face in restoring them
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'Labour's crackdown on illegal tobacco and vape shops is nothing of the sort. Closing less than 10 per cent will do next to nothing to crackdown on this blight to our high streets.
'Labour's tax hikes and employer red tape have forced legitimate businesses off the high street, opening the door to dodgy vendors who don't play by the rules.'
And Reform UK home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf said: 'Labour's raids are nothing but theatrical if they do not lead to the closure of the operation.
'If a business is selling illegal tobacco and vapes, it should not be allowed to carry on trading as though nothing happened.
'When criminal establishments are shut down, crime falls and high streets become safer.'
Mr Burnham now faces calls from his own MPs to make ridding Britain's high streets of such crime a priority.
Labour MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes Melanie Onn said: 'While one product of our broken economic settlement, these criminal shops further compound the decline of the high street, by pushing legitimate retailers out, and preventing new entrants from setting up a business.
'Ending their grip on our communities must be at the forefront of the PM's new plan for Britain.'
The shocking data was obtained by think tank The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) via Freedom of Information request and included in its new report 'Hijacked High Streets'.
The CSJ has now called on Labour to establish a 'British FBI' to tackle serious organised crime, introduce a stringent licensing scheme for certain shops and new powers which enable the instant closure of criminal shops for up to 12 months.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Daily Mail: 'Criminal gangs have blighted our high streets and undercut honest businesses for too long. This report shows the scale of the challenge we face in restoring them.
'I have launched a nationwide crackdown which will see thousands of dodgy shops closed and dirty money seized. We're bringing in new laws to shut the shops for good and give the police and trading standards the tools they need to go after the gangs running them.
'This is just the start of our work to restore the heart of our communities. Our new National Police Service give local forces the space to focus on serving their communities.'
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