Over 100 people have been arrested during the police's high-profile crackdown on Manchester's 'counterfeit street', it has been revealed.
Operation Vulcan was launched five months ago with GMP aiming to get a grip on violence and serious organised crime in Cheetham Hill and Strangeways.
This has seen them raiding a number of counterfeit shops in the area, the country's capital in the sale of fake goods, and seizing hundreds of tonnes of clothing.
However, police say their presence in the area has also contributed to a decrease in violent crime. Before the operation began police GMP say the area 'was regularly blighted by serious violence', which included reports of running battles taking place in broad daylight with thugs wielding weapons out on the streets.
Since October last year, police say incidents of violence where injuries were suffered are down by half. Thefts are also down by half with vehicle crimes down by 60 percent, they say.
There has been an increase in arrests which force chiefs say is down to their weekly warrants at the counterfeit shops and regular stop and searches.
More than 100 people have been held for a variety of different offences with drugs, weapons and counterfeit goods, including dangerous fake electrical goods and vapes, all being taken off the streets. But chiefs admit there is still a long way to go.
Detective Superintendent Neil Blackwood, who is leading Operation Vulcan, said: “Whilst tackling the counterfeit trade in the area has been a large part of our job since day one, even greater was our need to fight the serious organised crime embedded in the area.
“Our officers have been relentlessly policing the area, and these figures show that we have made a great start. Our presence is a clear deterrent, and it has given us the resources needed to conduct more stop searches where appropriate and make more arrests.
“The success of Operation Vulcan can be attributed to our multi-agency approach. We have been working closely with dedicated partners to address the underlying causes of violence, and to help ensure vulnerable people are referred to proper safeguarding services.
“I am pleased that progress is being made but there is still a long way to go to further prevent and reduce the criminality in the area. Our police presence will not stop, and we will continue to deliver on our promises to revitalise the area and protect the communities of Cheetham Hill and Strangeways."
Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "The fall in crime is testament to the incredible impact of Operation Vulcan, and truly shows the power of partnership working.
"This is a proud moment, but it is only the first step in our journey towards turning Strangeways into a safer, more prosperous neighbourhood."
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