People in Bassetlaw tell me they want to see busy high streets, safe town centres, and honest businesses thriving. But in recent years, I am concerned about the rise in the number of vape shops and barbers, and the organised crime that may be behind them.
You have probably seen it yourself. A vape shop that never seems to have customers. A barber shop that is always empty. Premises that change hands again and again. Shops that don’t seem to sell enough to pay the rent.
Of course, many vape shops and barbers are genuine businesses run by hardworking people. But it is also true that organised crime groups often use shops like these to hide illegal activity.
That is why I am launching a local inquiry into serious and organised crime in Bassetlaw.
Serious and organised crime is not just something that happens in big cities. It can reach into towns like Worksop, Retford and across our villages too.
These criminal gangs are involved in drug dealing, fraud, money laundering, human trafficking and modern slavery. Across the UK, this type of crime is estimated to cost the country at least £47 billion every year.
But the real cost is felt by local people. It can push out honest businesses that simply cannot compete. And it can damage the reputation of our high streets.
Through this inquiry, I want to get a clear picture of what is really happening in Bassetlaw. I will be chairing a panel made up of local community leaders and experts to hear evidence from the police, local authorities and local people.
We will be looking at how organised crime groups operate on our high streets, whether criminal gangs are using local businesses to hide illegal activity, and how this affects residents and legitimate traders.
We will also examine whether the police and local authorities have the powers and resources they need to tackle the problem effectively.
Importantly, the inquiry will gather evidence from the people who know our towns best, residents, shop owners, community groups and local organisations.
I know that many people see things that worry them but are not sure how to report it. Others may fear speaking up.
That is why this inquiry is important. It gives local people a chance to share their experiences and help shine a light on what is really going on.
At the end of the process, the inquiry will produce recommendations for the police, local authorities and national government on how we can better tackle organised crime and protect our town centres.