Stories

Thu, 30 Apr 2026

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 'We will kill you and burn your house': Council staff under attack from High Street gangs

Dozens of Trading Standards officers describe intimidation from criminals running mini-marts and vape shops.

* 24 Trading Standards officers shared testimony with the BBC about being intimidated and threatened by organized crime gangs operating in mini-marts, vape shops, and American candy stores.
* The intimidation includes threats of violence, harassment, and property damage, and some officers have been forced to change their addresses or leave their jobs due to the pressure.
* Organized crime on High Streets has increased over the past decade, with 96% of front-line Trading Standards teams dealing with it.
* Over 70% of officers have faced threats of intimidation or violence, and up to a third of shops in some areas are linked to organized crime.
* The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has identified areas where High Street crime gangs are operating, including big cities, smaller towns, and villages.
* CTSI chief executive John Herriman says that organized crime is the "number one threat" facing the profession, and that more funding is needed to tackle it.
* The UK government says it is working with the police and other agencies to take action against these criminal businesses, but some officers feel that they are not being adequately supported or equipped to deal with the threats.
* Trading Standards officers do not have the power to arrest, but can inspect premises, seize evidence, and request support from the police.