Win for Responsible Retailers as Government Announces Year Long Closure Orders for Rogue Traders

ACS has welcomed a significant victory in the battle against the illicit trade today as the Government announced 12 month closure orders for businesses found to be selling illicit products. 

Existing powers allow premises to be closed for up to six months, but the Government note that businesses can often reopen before investigations have concluded, allowing criminal activity to resume and creating additional burdens for local authorities, police forces and the courts. 

Under the new plans, the government will double the maximum duration of closure orders to 12 months in order to give investigators more time to gather evidence, pursue prosecutions and identify the criminal bosses directing activity from behind the scenes, while also preventing rogue operators from simply reopening and resuming illegal activity. 

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “High streets across the country have been hijacked by criminal gangs operating in plain sight – running vape stories, dodgy barbers, and nail salons to launder their dirty money. I have launched a nationwide crackdown to raid and close thousands of illegal businesses, arrest bosses and seize their dirty cash.  But I will go further – introducing new laws to close these shops for good and put criminal bosses behind bars.”  

ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: “For too long, dodgy shops have effectively priced in the impact of fines and closure orders that barely make a dent in their operations. We strongly welcome the clear message being sent from the Government that these rogue traders will be shut down for longer, acting as an effective deterrent and backing responsible retailers. 

“This announcement is a significant step forward in our campaign to stop rogue traders, but there is much more to do - we will continue to seek further support and funding for Trading Standards to enforce locally, as well as an overhaul in the way that illicit activity is reported.”

Figures from the 2026 ACS Crime Report show that 85% of retailers have seen an increase in illicit activity in their area over the last year, and 25% have seen stolen goods being sold on locally. 

ACS’ Stop Rogue Traders campaign hub is available here