Demanding tougher action on illegal trading

Taunton and Wellington’s MP, Gideon Amos, met with Home Office Minister Angela Eagle as part of his campaign to clamp down on illegally trading shops.

The meeting was also attended by Home Office officials from the High Street Organised Crime Unit, the National Crime Agency, and other Members of Parliament who have been calling for changes to the law.

Current proposals set out by the government in June include measures to extend the duration of closure orders, to give investigators more time to gather evidence, and £30 million of new funding for police and trading standards.

While Gideon has welcomed the proposals, he used the meeting to call for harsher measures to deter and prosecute organised crime gangs as well as landlords who knowingly let their property for criminal use.

“Shopkeepers, business owners, and residents are right to be frustrated with criminal gangs operating in plain sight.

“That is why I am calling for the government to go further and give police powers to close shops for seven days without having to go to the courts.

“Landlords who knowingly and repeatedly let their premises for illegal purposes should face penalties and their premises should be taken on by the local council to let out at a reduced rate to local businesses.

“Finally, we need properly resourced Trading Standards services.

“Meeting with the relevant Minister and her officials was a positive step and I got a genuine sense of their willingness to consider my proposals and crack down further on the organised crime that is trying to take root on some of our high streets.

“I will continue working with the Government, and with MPs across Parliament, to make that happen.”