Cops have shut THIRTEEN shops on Manchester's infamous 'Counterfeit Street' in one raid. They were under the roof of a building on Bury New Road.
The property had been divided up into different unit, Greater Manchester Police said. The building was condemned as unsafe by the fire service and the units all shut.
They will not be able to re-open until expensive safety improvements are carried out. The cost could be so prohibitive they may never re-open.
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The action is one element of Operation Vulcan - GMP's drive to dismantle and ultimately bulldoze Manchester's infamous Counterfeit Street in the Strangeways and Cheetham Hill area.
Since October, counterfeit clothing, perfume, and accessories worth millions of pounds have been seized and huge amounts of prescription drugs.
This week, cops and officers from Manchester council met with landlords in the district to clamp down on privately owned properties being leased out to illegal enterprises.
A team of specialist officers are working with the council and fire service make sure any properties which are being used illegitimately have closure notices issued and regular checks to make sure they are complying.
Detective Sergeant Matt Donnelly said: "Operation Vulcan is tackling serious organised crime in the area and the last eight weeks has seen major disruption to every level of criminality in the area. An integral part of this operation’s success is engaging with members of the local community, which is most effective when we work with our partners, and the closures this week are an example of our multi agency approach in action.
“We want to work closely with local landlords and businesses to restore Cheetham Hill and Strangeways to the thriving hub it once was, making it a place for legitimate businesses to prosper.”
Councillor Luthfur Rahman, deputy Leader of Manchester council, said: “I am incredibly proud of the recent work that has been carried out in Cheetham Hill. The Council, working with Greater Manchester Police and other valued partners has been making huge strides in cracking down on the illegal activity and anti-social behaviour which is a blight on this community.
“However, Operation Vulcan is about more than just enforcement. It’s about building back a sense of unity in the area. Working with business owners and landlords we want to show that Cheetham Hill can be a place for businesses to thrive and that once rogue traders are kicked out, they’re kicked out for good.”
David Minto, fire safety group manager at GMFRS, said: “We’re working in partnership with Greater Manchester Police on Op Vulcan and our Fire Safety Officers are conducting fire safety inspections within the premises they’re raiding. Our fire safety inspectors attended this property and deemed it so unsafe that an immediate prohibition notice was serviced to prohibit the first floor of this building. Together we’re working hard to rid Greater Manchester of this illegal and dangerous activity that blights communities.”
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