Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to strengthen the role of the police in investigating and initiating prosecutions of those involved in trading illicit drugs in town centre shops in (1) England, and (2) Wales.

The Government is committed to tackling criminality in our town centres.

In partnership with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and policing we are targeting organised crime groups at every stage of the drug supply chain, combatting illicit finance, disrupting the hidden channels through which criminals communicate, and supporting law enforcement agencies with dedicated personnel to identify high-harm threats and opportunities for disruption. In the year ending September 2025, there were 17,315 prosecutions for drug trafficking offences.

We are working with the NCA, regional and local policing to target and disrupt the highest harm organised crime groups who operate the illegal drug markets and cause the violence and exploitation within our communities. We are also continuing to invest in our County Lines Programme to target and close down the most violent and exploitative form of drug supply.

In addition, in the 2025 Autumn Budget, the Government allocated £10 million per year for three years to tackle high street illegality. This funding includes the creation of the High Streets Illegality Taskforce, enhancements to Trading Standards capabilities and support for at least 45 additional law enforcement officers. Hosted by the Home Office, the cross-government Taskforce will develop a strategic policy response to money laundering and associated illegality on UK high streets, including tax evasion, illegal working and tackling the systemic vulnerabilities that criminals exploit. The Taskforce is considering the full range of powers and mechanisms that local responders rely on to tackle high street illegality to determine where these need to be strengthened or gaps need to be addressed.