Barbers losing out to 'money launderers'

LEGITIMATE barbers are being put out of business because of the proliferation of money-laundering businesses posing as hairdressers and duping customers.

- By Jonathan Walker WHITEHALL EDITOR

Industry leaders appealed for help as they warned they cannot compete with criminal outlets offering cut-price trims.

And a senior MP warns that the nation’s high streets “are being turned into laundromats for dirty money”.

The alarm was sounded by the Hair & Barber Council, a body set up by an Act of Parliament which keeps an official register of those offering the services.

However, registration is voluntary and anyone can call themselves a barber.

Gareth Penn, the council’s registrar, said: “Lots of money laundering is taking place with illegal gangs. These gangs are using barber shop fronts for cleaning money, for crime purposes. That also affects the viability of legitimate businesses, which again cannot compete on price.”