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Shops: Urban Areas

Asked by Jenny Riddell-CarpenterLabourHome OfficeTabled Answered 4 March 2026UIN 115735

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress her Department has made on creating a public reporting line for illicit high‑street businesses.

Answered by Sarah Jones

The High Streets Illegality Taskforce is working to develop a strategic long-term policy response to money laundering and associated illegality on UK high streets, including other forms of economic crime, tax evasion, and illegal working, tackling the systemic vulnerabilities that criminals exploit. As part of this work, the Taskforce will consider mechanisms to support effective information flows.

The public can report concerns about illicit high street businesses to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers UK on 0800 555 111.

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