Trading Standards has called for increased government investment to help tackle rising criminal activity on UK high streets.
Serious and organised crime - such as businesses selling counterfeit products and illicit items - is “drastically adding” to workloads and diverting attention and support for legitimate businesses, said the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).
It follows reports that the Treasury is considering measures in the upcoming Budget aimed at clamping down on “dodgy shops” operating across towns and cities.
CTSI welcomed signs of government action, but warned that local Trading Standards services would need proper resources to respond effectively.
A boost in funding would “send a clear message to criminals that their illegal actions will be uncovered”, said the institute.
The work of Trading Standards has “consistently evidenced an extraordinary return on investment”, according to CTSI. Every £1 spent on local Trading Standards is estimated to prevent at least £11 of consumer detriment, it said.
A recent member survey had identified serious and organised crime as “the number one threat” affecting officers’ ability to carry out their work, said John Herriman, chief executive of CTSI.
“Effectively disrupting such criminality will take a resourced, targeted, and sustained focus involving multiple enforcement agencies,” said Herriman.
“I urge HM Treasury to seize the opportunity in the upcoming Budget to invest in the Trading Standards profession to support a clamp down on criminality within high street shops across the country, and to help protect legitimate businesses who are trying to grow, which in turn supports economic growth in the UK.”
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