More than £6million worth of counterfeit clothing has been seized from dodgy shops on Manchester’s ‘Counterfeit Street’ in the past two weeks.
According to GMP, the Easter period has historically been one of the busiest times of the year for Manchester’s counterfeit shops in the Cheetham Hill and Strangeways areas.
This year, however, the counterfeit trade has been disrupted, with 18 stores closed in the past two weeks.
The trek, known as Operation Vulcan, was intended to rid the areas of criminal activity.
Over the past two weeks, police have come across dilapidated buildings littered with rat urine and feces, dangerous home-made electricity, concealed weapons and shops with no proper escape routes.
More than £6m worth of counterfeit clothing seized from dodgy shops on Manchester’s ‘Counterfeit Street’ in the past two weeks
The counterfeit trade in Manchester has been disrupted, with 18 shops closed in the past two weeks
Confiscated items will be reused and recycled, turning them into items the community can benefit from, including coats, hats, insulation and even energy for homes.
GMP says ‘ruthless action by Operation Vulcan’ hits the gangs involved in Manchester’s illicit trade, with the latest seizures leading to millions of pounds worth of goods being taken off the criminal market.
About 33 organized crime gangs from around the country are believed to be associated with the area.
Since the operation started last autumn, the police believe the total number of dodgy shops around Strangeways has been reduced from more than 200 to less than 10.
In that time, more than 100 people have been arrested on suspicion of various crimes, including 38 for drug crimes.
Inspector Andy Torkington, one of the Specialized Officers of Operation Vulcan, said: ‘We have relentlessly targeted these illegal stores, but we are aware of the few remaining units attempting to operate in the area.
“We will attack these premises shortly and our investigation will continue as we track down and arrest those involved.”
The targeted multi-agency action plan, codenamed Operation Vulcan, aims to free Cheetham Hill and Strangeways from criminal activity
Confiscated items are reused and recycled, turning them into items that benefit the community, including coats and hats
Since the start of the operation, the police believe the total number of dodgy shops around Strangeways has been reduced from more than 200 to less than 10
According to GMP, the trade in counterfeit goods is estimated by National Trading Standards to be worth £8.6 billion a year, with the Cheetham Hill area believed to be associated with nearly 50% of this trade, earning it the title of the UK’s capital. for counterfeiting.
He added: ‘We are seeing excellent progress in the area and the feedback from the public has been overwhelmingly supportive, but more needs to be done.
“Crime has been embedded in the area for decades and we have no illusions that five months of ruthless action will solve it, but these results show big steps in the right direction.
According to the police, the trade in counterfeit goods is estimated to be worth £8.6 billion a year according to National Trading Standards
Items discovered at the Manchester store included counterfeit designer bags and watches
“We need the community next to us, sharing information so we can act on it and bring these people to justice. Operation Vulcan has continued support from partner agencies in Greater Manchester, enabling us to eradicate crime and build stronger communities.”
An earlier raid in the area cost £60,000 worth of fake cosmetics and beauty products, which were found to contain traces of cyanide and human urine.
And in November, a million ‘potentially deadly’ counterfeit drugs were seized by police from a flat in an ongoing drive to dismantle Manchester’s Counterfeit Street.
