Organised crime groups are believed to be operating through large numbers of vape stores, convenience shops and fast food takeaways across the UK, according to Trading Standards.

A new report from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has warned that so-called “dodgy shops” have spread rapidly across British high streets, alongside the complex criminal networks that underpin them.

The organisation’s Hidden In Plain Sight report found that organised crime groups are linked to as many as half of vape and convenience stores in some areas of the country, while a quarter of fast food takeaways in some locations are also suspected of being connected to criminal activity.

Up to a third of American candy stores in specific areas are also suspected of being fronts for criminal operations, the report said.

Trading Standards has published a map of high streets across the UK where officers have identified concerns around suspicious retail premises, as well as the 10 towns and cities perceived by officers to be hotspots for organised crime groups.

Birmingham, Liverpool and London took the top three spots.

A survey of Trading Standards officers found that 97 per cent were aware of suspected organised crime groups operating out of retail premises on their local high streets.

There was also “almost universal recognition” among officers that the number of cash-intensive businesses opening on local high streets had increased since 2020, with 99 per cent reporting a rise.

The report also highlighted the risks facing enforcement teams, with almost three-quarters of Trading Standards professionals saying they had experienced intimidatory behaviour or had been threatened with violence while carrying out their duties.

CTSI warned that Local Authority Trading Standards services have seen budgets cut by up to 50 per cent over the past decade, while staffing levels have been reduced to a minimum.

The organisation said this, alongside resource pressures facing other enforcement agencies including the police, had coincided with the rapid spread of rogue retail premises and the criminal networks behind them.

The report has set out a 10-point plan to “reclaim the UK’s high streets”, including greater investment in Trading Standards, making the sale of illegal goods a trigger for licence reviews, and an additional £20m to strengthen Trading Standards resources at ports and borders.

CTSI chief executive John Herriman said: “It is clear from this research that serious and organised crime is endemic across the UK, and the threat posed by illegitimate high street businesses is having a significant impact on the work of Trading Standards, and our ability to protect consumers and maintain the level playing field for legitimate business.”

The report warned that suspicious high street shops have a “profound impact” on public safety and the viability of legitimate businesses nearby, while putting consumers, including children, at risk.

It said these premises are often linked to wider criminality, including anti-social behaviour, theft and violent crime, drug supply, modern slavery and child sexual exploitation.

Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Ed Woodall said responsible convenience retailers were “extremely frustrated” by rogue traders operating with impunity in their local areas.

“Tens of millions of pounds need to be invested in local enforcement capacity to shut down these rogue traders and support the responsible retailers that are suffering as a result,” he said.

The Independent Vape Trade Association also backed the report’s recommendations, arguing that rogue traders have damaged public understanding of the vape sector and left law-abiding businesses dealing with the consequences.

Chief executive Gillian Golden said: “We fully endorse their 10-point plan.

“We have already seen where greater inter-agency working to tackle organised crime has been successful. It would be an even greater win for legitimate businesses and consumers if the Government takes forward these recommendations.”

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