Petition presented in House of Commons calls for greater powers to be given to local councils to tackle the issue, reports Anna-Louise Adepegba

Southgate and Wood Green MP Bambos Charalambous presenting his petition in parliament

A local MP has presented a petition to parliament calling for stronger action to tackle suspected illegal activity in high street shops.

Last Tuesday (28th April) Southgate and Wood Green MP Bambos Charalambous addressed the House of Commons to raise concerns from local residents who believe the growth of suspicious businesses across local high streets is being overlooked.

Charalambous said the issue has been “well documented in both local and national media, that shops, including in my constituency, are being used for illegal activities and are causing harm to the local community”.

The Labour MP said such businesses can include barber shops, nail salons, cafés and candy shops, which frequently close before reopening a few months later under new management.

He continued: “Residents have expressed their concerns to me that the local authority has limited power to tackle the illegality and that efforts to do so are not always co-ordinated with the police.”

On his website highlighting the issue Charalambous further explained that many residents had told him they feel unsafe walking along some high streets, describing “the atmosphere surrounding these cafes” as “threatening, unfriendly, and unwelcoming”.

Another resident told him that “certain establishments appear to be operating as fronts rather than legitimate enterprises” and that the number at which these types of shops are being opened are “far beyond what seems commercially viable”.

The petition was launched on Tuesday 21st April but because of parliamentary rules could only be signed in person at Charalambous’s constituency office.

Signed by 25 of his constituents, it calls for improved communication between police and trading standards officers, stronger enforcement powers for local authorities, and increased support for the work of trading officers and financial investigators.

Charalambous said he understands residents’ concerns and hopes the petition will lead to greater support and powers for those working to address the issue locally.

He added it will “show we are taking a stand” and “make sure we deal with the scourge of illegal activity on our high street”.

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