Crewe & Nantwich MP Connor Naismith has welcomed the results of Operation Snips, a joint enforcement operation that led to closure orders on four commercial premises across the constituency.
The operation was carried out on Thursday 2 July by the Eastern Problem Solving Team, with assistance from Crewe Beat Officers and Cheshire East Trading Standards, following reports of illegal activity at commercial venues in the area.
Police have issued closure orders on four sites: Top Gee, Bob Shop and Liam Grocery in Crewe, and Friendly Mart in Nantwich. The orders followed reports of anti-social behaviour at the premises and failures to adhere to age-limit restrictions when selling items.
Mr Naismith has written to Cheshire East Council’s Trading Standards team to commend the execution of the operation and to underline its importance for local residents. In his letter, he said operations of this kind “help support legitimate local businesses and show that illegal activity will not be tolerated.”
He has also asked what measures are in place to ensure vacated commercial units do not fall into the wrong hands, and how recently announced national funding will strengthen local enforcement.
The action follows the government’s announcement of a £30 million package to tackle organised crime operating through rogue high street businesses, including £6 million of additional funding for Trading Standards to strengthen local enforcement, improve officer training and support further action against businesses operating outside the law.
Mr Naismith said:
“I think it’s really important that we celebrate results like this. Shops that promote anti-social behaviour or illegal trading have no place on our high streets.
“The government has already announced new resources to empower local communities and kick rogue vendors out. I want to make sure the teams carrying out these operations are feeling the benefit of that on the ground and can stop the conveyor belt of organised crime in the long-term.”
He has also asked Trading Standards to set out any further powers or resources that would help support future operations, saying he wants Parliament to continue backing the work of Trading Standards and its partners across Cheshire East.
