A number of barbershops across West Mercia have been identified as fronts for serious organised crime, following a large-scale police operation targeting money laundering, fraud, and the sale of illicit goods.
In March, West Mercia Police launched Operation Machinize - a coordinated effort to dismantle criminal gangs using legitimate-looking barbershops to disguise illegal financial activity. The operation resulted in 33 warrants being issued across Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire.
Despite appearing to operate as everyday grooming businesses, several of these barbershops were found to be concealing illegal cash flows linked to organised crime. Working in partnership with Trading Standards, West Midlands Fire and Rescue, Home Office Immigration, and HMRC, police seized more than £500,000 in illegal assets and £16,000 in cash. Four individuals were arrested as part of the operation.
Trading Standards carried out an additional three warrants, while Immigration Enforcement questioned three individuals about their status in the UK. Detective Inspector Dan Fenn from West Mercia Police’s Economic Crime team said: “Organised crime groups are opportunistic and exploit legitimate businesses, such as barbershops, to hide their illegal cash flow. The high cash turnover of these businesses makes them ideal for disguising illicit activities. Our work during Operation Machinize sends a clear message to these crime networks: we will not tolerate criminal activity in our communities. Following these warrants, 34 intelligence reports have been submitted, helping to build a stronger intelligence picture and supporting future operations. Community intelligence played a key role in this operation. Some of the information used to plan these raids came from public tip-offs. That local support is invaluable, and we encourage anyone with information about businesses involved in money laundering to report it.”
The operation falls under Operation Target, West Mercia Police’s strategic initiative focused on disrupting serious and organised crime. Since April 2024, the force’s Economic Crime Unit has seized over £6 million in criminal assets, positioning it as a national leader in tackling financial crime.
Operation Target focuses on four key priorities:
- Pursue – Prosecuting and disrupting individuals and groups involved in serious organised crime.
- Prevent – Deterring people from becoming involved in criminal networks.
- Protect – Strengthening community resilience against organised crime threats.
- Prepare – Minimising the impact of organised crime where it occurs.
Police are urging anyone with suspicions about businesses acting as criminal fronts—particularly in sectors like barbering where high cash turnover is common—to come forward. Reports can be made online or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
