"An explosion in the number of small businesses that largely take cash has only fuelled these fears. ONS data [showing that there are] 88 per cent more beauty salons than 10 years ago, 60 per cent more takeaways and 18 per cent more convenience stores. Gangs that generate large amounts of physical cash by selling drugs risk alerting the authorities if they immediately deposit this in bank accounts or carry out large cash purchases. Putting some of this cash through the tills of High Street shops allows it to be mixed with legitimate income from customers, making it seem like legitimate profit."
