Dozens of high street premises across Wiltshire have been inspected as part of a national effort to disrupt criminal activity hidden behind seemingly ordinary shops.
Throughout October, Wiltshire Police joined forces with the National Crime Agency and a range of partner organisations for Operation Machinize, a coordinated campaign targeting money laundering, exploitation and other offences linked to cash-intensive businesses.
Across the county, the multi-agency teams:
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Visited or searched 75 premises
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Arrested eight people
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Stopped 19 vehicles for further checks
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Seized items including illegal vapes, illicit tobacco and drug-related paraphernalia
The checks focused on a broad mix of businesses, from barber shops and vape stores to takeaways, nail bars, car washes and tech shops. Officers say these types of premises are sometimes used as a cover for hidden criminal networks, though most businesses visited were found to be operating legitimately.
Det Insp Steve Edwards, who coordinated the operation in Wiltshire, said the aim was to shine a light on activity that often goes unnoticed on the high street. “This work is about protecting communities and supporting honest business owners,” he said.
“By carrying out targeted visits with partners such as Trading Standards, HMRC, Immigration Enforcement and the regional organised crime unit, we’re able to spot signs of money laundering, exploitation and other serious offences that may be taking place behind the scenes.”
He added that a wide range of police teams from neighbourhood officers to cyber and financial investigators were involved in the month-long project.
Wiltshire Police say the checks will continue, and anyone with concerns about a business or suspicious activity should contact police on 999 in an emergency, report online, or pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Photo: National Crime Agency
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