Barber shops can be used by criminal gangs as a front for people trafficking, slave labour and drug running.
Security expert Ali Hassan Ali – a former Metropolitan senior officer – has called for an investigation into the shops.
He cites them as being used in the same way nail bars and car washes to launder money.
It is thought many barber shops are being run by Albanian and Kurdish gangs.
Mr Ali said:
“A lot of these shops have thousands of pounds of equipment but no customers.
“While in some cases the shops will be involved in legitimate business, from my own experience, there is strong reason to believe a large number, particularly those owned by Albanians, Turks, and Kurds, have links to organised crime.
“We know the people smuggling gangs in Calais have been traditionally operated by Kurds, but they are now working with the Albanians.”
The National Hair and Beauty Federation reports there are more than 46,000 hair and beauty businesses in the UK.
Three quarters employ fewer than five people.
A National Crime Agency (NCA) spokesperson said:
“Money laundering is a key factor of serious and organised crime.
“Businesses who trade in cash can be exploited by those seeking to conceal and legitimise their criminal gains.
“The NCA and its partners in law enforcement, government and the private sector are committed to disrupting the flow of illicit cash and preventing organised criminals from benefiting from their crimes.”
