Electronic Cigarettes and Personal Care Services: Fraud
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criminality data informs efforts to clamp down on the establishment of (a) vape shops (b) barber shops in England.
Answered by Sarah Jones
Addressing cash-based money laundering is one of the strategic priorities of the National Economic Crime Centre, which sits within the National Crime Agency. In March 2025, the NECC led a three-week intensification campaign (Operation MACHINIZE) against barbershops and other cash intensive businesses which saw 380 premises visited, 84 warrants, 35 arrests, and the seizure of illicit goods.
This was followed by a second phase of activity (Operation MACHINIZE 2) throughout October which involved every UK police force and Regional Organised Crime Unit, Home Office Immigration Enforcement, Trading Standards, HM Revenue & Customs and Companies House. The operation saw: 2734 premises visited and raided, 924 individuals arrested, over £10.7m of suspected criminal proceeds seized and over £2.7m worth of illicit commodities destroyed.
The Home Office is working closely with partners to use the learning from this operation to build on and develop long-term solutions.
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