Oral Answers to Questions

Patrick Hurley Excerpts

Monday 13th July 2026 Commons Chamber

[James Asser (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab)]

5. What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the high streets organised crime unit.

[Patrick Hurley (Southport) (Lab)]

7. What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the high streets organised crime unit.

[Matt Turmaine (Watford) (Lab)]

9. What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the high streets organised crime unit.

--- Later in debate ---

[Shabana Mahmood]

I pay tribute to the work that is happening in my hon. Friend’s local area. I reassure him that we in the Home Office are working very closely with our colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as part of the Government’s wider strategy for high streets. This is a criminality-focused crackdown to deal with some of those businesses that we know are front organisations for other criminal behaviour, but we will work closely with our colleagues, and I will ensure that all the good examples are used as a spur for others to take action too.

[Patrick Hurley]

The criminals on the high street move quickly, but the Government response has tended to be too slow over many years. When will the current pilots finish, how will success be judged, and when will all towns in Britain be able to say that they benefit from what works?

[Shabana Mahmood]

First, let me say to my hon. Friend that this is not a pilot; it is the real thing. I have made funding available to every force area in the country to take part in this national crackdown. In addition, I have provided enhanced funding to three hotspot areas where the need is greatest. I would say that success means more shops closed, more criminals arrested and more cash seized.