Use of Shops for Illegal Activity

I know that our community in Southgate and Wood Green are concerned about the suspected use of shops for illegal activity on our highstreets.

I have heard from many of my constituents about what this means to them and how it is making them feel. Here are just some of the things I have heard from local residents:

 “Longstanding local business owners I’ve spoken with — who have been here 15+ years — express the same concerns: that certain establishments appear to be operating as fronts rather than legitimate enterprises. These include barbers, cafés, nail bars, candy shops, and similar businesses, which are opening in numbers far beyond what seems commercially viable.”

“We are also seeing a constant cycle of shops advertising “Closing Down” banners, only to reappear under new management a few months later, repeating the same tactic.”

“Many residents, especially women, feel unsafe walking down Alderman’s Hill… The atmosphere surrounding these cafes is a threatening, unfriendly, unwelcoming one.” 

Do you agree? It is time to show that our community is taking a stand.

That is why I have organised a petition calling for:

• a framework for greater communication between trading standards officers and the police

• greater enforcement powers for local authorities to crack down on shops being used for illegal activities

• increased support for the work of trading standards officers and specialist financial investigators

Keep following here for updates!