Small businesses targeted in clampdown on high street crime
Police carried out 44 searches as part of Operation Machinize
Barbershops, vape shops, mini marts, and themed candy stores across Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire have been targeted in a month-long clampdown on high street crime.
Police carried out 44 searches as part of Operation Machinize, leading to nine arrests and freezing bank accounts holding more than two hundred and fifty thousand pounds in suspected illicit funds.
Nearly £12,000 in cash was also seized, along with illegal goods worth around fifty thousand pounds hidden in secret compartments.
Officers also confiscated dangerous items, including knives, a knuckleduster, firearms, and cannabis, in a joint effort with Trading Standards, Immigration Enforcement, and West Midlands Fire & Rescue to protect local communities.
The operation was a collaborative effort involving Immigration Enforcement, Trading Standards, West Midlands Fire & Rescue, and HMRC, all working together to clean up our high streets and protect our communities.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion:“These latest results reflect our unwavering commitment to tackling serious and organised crime and ensuring it has no place on our high streets.
“While the vast majority of shops in West Mercia are operating legitimately and form the lifeblood of our communities, it’s crucial that those who are not, feel the full weight of the law.
“Through strong partnership working and proactive policing, we are sending a clear message: criminal activity will be uncovered, disrupted, and removed.”
Detective Sergeant Rachel O’Brien, from our Economic Crime team, said: “Operation Machinize was launched to disrupt cash-intensive businesses being used as fronts for a wide spectrum of criminal activity across our three counties.
“Investigations uncovered links to drug trafficking and distribution, organised immigration crime, modern slavery and human trafficking, firearms offences, and the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes.
“We know that cash-heavy enterprises are frequently exploited for money laundering. Organised crime groups often target legitimate businesses, such as barbershops, using their high cash turnover to conceal illegal financial flows.
“Operation Machinize sends a clear and uncompromising message: criminal activity will not be tolerated in our communities.
“This operation was made possible thanks to vital intelligence from the public. We continue to urge anyone with information about businesses involved in money laundering or related offences to come forward.”
West Mercia Police say their efforts to combat economic crime fall under Operation Target, which focuses on four key areas:
- Pursue – Prosecuting and disrupting those involved in serious organised crime
- Prevent – Stopping individuals from becoming involved in organised crime
- Prevent – Stopping individuals from becoming involved in organised crime
- Prepare – Reducing the impact of organised crime when it occurs
You can report concerns online or anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.