"Dozens of businesses across London have been raided by the Met Police in a crackdown on money laundering and exploitation across the capital. Over 240,000 worth of counterfeit goods have been taken off the streets of London as well as illegal knives and vapes, and 22,000 in cash. The police operation comes as concerns continue to be raised about the number of barber shops in the capital, often empty of customers."
"The borough of Westminster has one of the highest proportions of barber shops within London. Barber shops are the fastest growing sector of the retail economy, according to the Local Data Company, and figures from the National Hair and Beauty Federation show that 304 barber shops opened across the country in the first half of 2023 — almost six times the number of coffee shops that opened in the same period."
"You get these guys charging 10 to 15 a haircut, and then they are driving around in a massive Mercedes. Neville is not the only person to have noticed that the proliferation of barber shops in the capital feels suspicious. The issue has also caught the attention of Reform UK MP Richard Tice, who has accused barber shops of being money laundering spots for drug money and vowed to investigate the issue."
Met Police carried out raids on dozens of London businesses, seizing counterfeit goods worth over 240,000, illegal knives and vapes, and 22,000 in cash. The operation coincides with rising concern about a rapid increase in barber shops across the capital, many reportedly empty of customers. Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Camden have high proportions of barber shops. Data show barber shops as the fastest growing retail sector, with 304 openings in the first half of 2023 and an increase in London outlets from 5,930 in 2015 to 8,915 in 2024. Suspicions of money laundering and unexplained wealth have been raised by police figures and politicians.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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