Multi-agency crackdown on organised immigration crime in Tameside

Tameside Trading Standards and Environmental Health officers joined Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Immigration Officers in a week of action tackling organised immigration crime and criminality on local high streets. 

The multi-agency visits were part of Operation Lock-stream, a national partnership initiative is led by the Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce (OICDT) at the Northwest Regional Organised Crime Unit (NW ROCU); to reduce crime groups in ordinary neighbourhood businesses and places residents use every day.

The teams visited six premises in Tameside, including shops and car washes, with health and safety issues identified at three premises and two individuals bailed by immigration officers in relation to breach of visa conditions.

Trading Standards Officers also seized unsafe toys, illegal disposable vapes and illicit tobacco from one shop.

Investigations are ongoing with Trading Standards and Environmental Health officers, and enforcement action will be taken for all failings and non-compliance issues.

Cllr Laura Boyle, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods, said: “It’s great to see the success of Operation Lock‑stream, with illegal and unsafe items being removed from shops before they could be sold to our residents. Our teams work hard to ensure residents’ safety is always prioritised, and these cases will now be reviewed as investigations continue.

“This operation is part of wider, ongoing work from our teams to crack down on premises supporting organised crime and causing harm to our local communities.”