Operation Vulcan days of action mean counterfeit trade area was left like 'a ghost town'

Greater Manchester Police's Operation Vulcan officers were out in full force last week, disrupting the counterfeit trade in the Cheetham Hill and Strangeways areas, with the help of the North Tutor Unit, MCC civil enforcement (parking wardens), blue badge fraud unit, and Biffa Waste management.

With the majority of illegitimate shops unable to open out of fear that their fake goods would be seized, the streets were a lot quieter, allowing officers to spend time engaging with members of public and gathering intel.

Alongside some proactive community engagement, the day delivered an array of results:

Three arrests made, two on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and one for possession of class A drugs

255 class C tablets seized

One care plan referral for a drug user

Two vehicle seizures

6 e-scooter seizures

9 parking fines issued

13 fixed penalty notices for waste offences

£4,000 of fixed penalty notices

Inspector Andrew Torkington, one of GMP’s specialist officers involved in Operation Vulcan, said: “These days of action go a long way to help make the local area safer.

"By being out in the community front and centre, we’ve been able to show everyone what we’re here to do and achieve.

"As always, this isn’t a one off, and Operation Vulcan will be here in 2023 targeting every level of criminality in Cheetham Hill and Strangeways.

“Counterfeit clothing funds criminality, at home and abroad.

"It contributes to the deprivation of the area, the waste that is scattered across the streets is so prolific because these illegal premises have no trade waste accounts, so throw their rubbish onto the streets.

“Feedback from members of the community and legitimate businesses continues to be overwhelmingly supportive, and they are the reason we are undertaking this activity - to support everyone who has had enough of this behaviour and the devastating impact it is having on their livelihoods.”

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