Arrests after criminal activity on high streets targeted

More than 43,000 illegal cigarettes and an 850-plant cannabis farm have been seized as part of a joint operation by police, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and trading standards officers on Merseyside high streets.

Police arrested seven people for various drug, theft and bail offences on the Wirral as part of the operation, an HMRC spokesperson said.

They said unannounced visits were made to eight shops across Liverpool, Huyton, Birkenhead and Wallasey, as HMRC scaled-up work to tackle illegal high street activity.

It was part of UK-wide investigations targeting those using vape shops, barbers, souvenir shops, candy and convenience stores as fronts for money laundering and tax crime, they added.

A total of 43,586 illicit cigarettes were seized along with 14lb (6.5kg) of hand-rolling tobacco during the day of action on 11 September, HMRC said.

Kevin Hubbard, HMRC's director of small business and individuals compliance, said: "Too many high streets have been blighted by illegal activity that harms communities and undercuts honest businesses.

"We're determined to change that."

Hubbard said they were increasing their action targeting the criminals using shops as a front for tax evasion, money laundering and fraud.

The visits, tax and organised crime investigations, seizures and warnings were part of HMRC's plan to carry out more than 30,000 compliance interventions in 2026-27 to tackle tax fraud and illegal activity on the high street, he added.

Ch Insp Colin Dyer, from Merseyside Police, who led the operation in Wirral, said: "We know criminal activity on our high streets can have a real impact on local communities and people's sense of safety.

"By working closely with HMRC, Trading Standards and other partners, we can tackle these issues more effectively and target those involved in crime."

HMRC said it would use the intelligence gathered in its investigations to inform future action to tackle illegal activity on the high street.

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