--- title: "Operation Vulcan" type: "pdf" year: "2024" canonical: "/projects/480" --- # OPERATION VULCAN # Table of Contents - [OPERATION VULCAN](#operation-vulcan) - [Greater Manchester Police- Operation Vulcan; Swooping in on the Counterfeit Capital of the UK.](#greater-manchester-police-operation-vulcan-swooping-in-on-the-counterfeit-capital-of-the-uk) - [Summary](#summary) - [Scanning](#scanning) - [Analysis](#analysis) - [Response](#response) - [Assessment](#assessment) - [Project Submission](#project-submission) - [Scanning](#scanning) - [Objective.](#objective) - [Analysis](#analysis) - [Offenders](#offenders) - [Response](#response) - [Assessment](#assessment) - [Economic Cost Analysis](#economic-cost-analysis) - [Appendix A.](#appendix-a) - [CRIME 6 MONTH PRIOR TO OP VULCAN](#crime-6-month-prior-to-op-vulcan) - ['Shopping bruv?'': The traders and look-outs on Counterfeit Street defying the national lockdown](#shopping-bruv-the-traders-and-look-outs-on-counterfeit-street-defying-the-national-lockdown) - [Shocking video shows men attacking each other with poles in Cheetham Hill](#shocking-video-shows-men-attacking-each-other-with-poles-in-cheetham-hill) - [EXCLUSIVE: Counterfeit Street: Sunday Mirror investigates hidden 'shopping mall' of fake designer and electrical goods](#exclusive-counterfeit-street-sunday-mirror-investigates-hidden-shopping-mall-of-fake-designer-and-electrical-goods) - [Strangeways: Three arrests over counterfeit goods burglary](#strangeways-three-arrests-over-counterfeit-goods-burglary) - [Fifty people locked in rat-infested shop against their will 'with no way to escape'](#fifty-people-locked-in-rat-infested-shop-against-their-will-with-no-way-to-escape) - [Greater Manchester Police @gmpolice](#greater-manchester-police-gmpolice) - [Crime before and after Op Vulcan intervention](#crime-before-and-after-op-vulcan-intervention) - [OPERATION YULCAN](#operation-yulcan) - [Appendix B.](#appendix-b) ## Greater Manchester Police- Operation Vulcan; Swooping in on the Counterfeit Capital of the UK. Submission by Full Name: Neil Blackwood Role: Detective Superintendent and lead for Op Vulcan Submitting organisation: Greater Manchester Police (UK) Email address: Neil.Blackwood@gmp.police.uk Telephone number: 07585307088 Full name: DCI Jennifer Kelly Email address: Jennifer.Kelly@gmp.police.uk Telephone number: 07752300848 # Summary ## Scanning Cheetham Hill is a dilapidated area of mixed industrial and commercial premises on the edge of Manchester city centre. Scanning showed a significant issue with counterfeit goods being sold on an industrial scale. In 2022 there were 206 premises selling counterfeit goods including handbags, clothing, perfume, and jewellery. This meant $86 \%$ of available premises being used to sell oftendangerous goods. The trade attracted other criminals, further harming local communities as crime and deprivation increased. Cheetham Hill represented 50\% of all UK trade in counterfeit goods with the area being declared the counterfeit capital of Europe. The longevity of the issue and involvement of organised crime groups was exacerbated by a lack of available policing data, meaning a reliance on partnership information to plug the gaps. ## Analysis The analysis used the problem analysis triangle which looked at the deprivation of Cheetham Hill alongside the longevity of the problem, contributing to the criminality perpetuating. The area became prime for rogue landlords, letting ever more of their properties to criminals and making significant monies by turning a blind eye. Nationally impactive organised crime groups (OCGs) moved in, seeing significant opportunity to make vast sums of money. The OCGs were keen to exploit the hundreds of people who flooded the streets, as they sought counterfeit goods at a $70 \%$ reduction on the price of the original, genuine product. # Response The response sought to remove the barriers that previously prevented progress. The free flow of intelligence, a joined-up, problem orientated approach with a consortium of partners, committed resourcing from partners and a policing team funded by money seized from criminals (POCA). A number of tactics were used to relentlessly target the counterfeiters: warrants, innovative entry methods, stop search, joint visits, use of partnership powers to close premises, and targeting landlords to prevent premises from reopening. The response extended to proactive media and engagement with communities and visitors, so they wouldn't fall foul of the criminals. ## Assessment There was a 100\% reduction in premises selling counterfeit goods within the area of Cheetham Hill with 206 out of 206 premises closed. None reopened as criminal enterprises. There was a diffusion of benefit on other crime types, seeing significant and sustained reductions in public order and violent crime. Operation Vulcan has seized goods which prevented a loss to the UK economy of $£ 1,560,000,000$. The direct loss to the organised crime groups is $£ 104,840,000$. Word count 396 # Project Submission ## Scanning Operation Vulcan targets the long-standing issues around the sale of counterfeit goods in the area of Cheetham Hill in Greater Manchester. This criminality has affected the area for over 40 years, as referenced in a History of Manchester ${ }^{1}$. The illegal trade in Cheetham Hill costs the UK economy an estimated $£ 4$ billion per year ${ }^{2}$. There are highly disproportionate numbers of premises selling counterfeit goods, with $86 \%$ of retail premises being criminally used ${ }^{3}$. An assessment by National Trading Standards Intelligence Unit states; 'Cheetham Hill is the European capital for the trade in counterfeit goods and represents 50\% of the sales of these goods on a national level'4. Daily, hundreds of people from across the UK descended onto the area, filling the streets as they sought counterfeit clothing, perfume, handbags, and jewellery. 90\% of what was sold were counterfeit versions of goods from well-known brands such as Prada, Nike, Canada Goose, Moncler, and Gucci, priced at around $70 \%$ less of what would be paid in high street shops. There were identified under-reporting issues relating to the extent of other criminal activity in the area. Victims were linked directly to the offenders in the OCGs operating the counterfeit shops. Threats and intimidation created significant barriers around reporting intelligence and crimes to the police ${ }^{5}$. [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{1}$ A History of Manchester. Stuart Hylton 2016. ${ }^{2}$ National trading standards risk model 2020. ${ }^{3}$ Adidas research centre. Data collated from covert test purchase operations completed quarterly. ${ }^{4}$ National trading standards intelligence team report 2019. ${ }^{5}$ Organised crime: revenues, economic and social costs, and criminal assets available for seizure (college.police.uk) Intelligence suggested that physical/sexual assaults, robbery, theft, and drug supply were commonplace. The chart (appendix A16) outlines the crime figures for the area in the six months prior to the launch of Operation Vulcan. Intelligence showed disputes between the criminals would often spill out onto the streets, fighting with bats and knives to defend their money-making enterprises. A key issue was VAWG, highlighted by community and partners. Women and girls were given a safe space to discuss their experiences; they wouldn't walk down the main streets on their own, regardless of the time of day for fear of being harassed, abused, and touched by the hordes of men who operated the criminal network of shops. Intelligence linked 33 OCGs $^{6}$ to the counterfeit goods in Cheetham Hill. The offenders from these groups were male with an established history of criminality thus contributing to this feeling of it being unsafe any time, day, or night. Cheetham Hill is a completely urbanised area of Manchester with a population of 22,000 people ${ }^{7}$. It is an exceptionally diverse place to live, but it has been marred by the reputation of being the "counterfeit capital of the UK" ${ }^{8}$. This reputation was considered by partners and the communities to be something that would be exceptionally difficult to resolve. The scanning showed that Bury New Road is the main route known as Counterfeit Street (appendix A17). Other streets such as Great Ducie and Harris have high concentrations of counterfeit shops. [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{6}$ Northwest Regional Organised Crime and Intellectual property office scanning and analysis of mapped organised crime. ${ }^{7}$ Gov.uk Census data 2021. ${ }^{8}$ Cheetham Hill named the counterfeit capital of the UK - Manchester Evening News Harris Street had (in October 2022) a counterfeit shop occupancy of $89 \%$ of available units (appendix A18). Of this $89 \%$, over two thirds were controlled by only 3 landlords, each owning multiple properties. This was replicated across other streets on the map (appendix A19) and identified a powerful few to target efforts against. The area defined in red (appendix A19) contained all of the 206 counterfeit shops, providing the partnership a specific and densely packed location to focus resources upon. It is evident from the scanning that counterfeit criminality had been going on for a long time. The oldest newspaper report referencing this counterfeiting issue was $2011^{9}$ but it went back much further. Partners had attempted to combat the issue but were outnumbered and intimidated, with no joined-up approach to target the criminality. GMP had neighbourhood policing resources focused on the area but over time this had been eroded as officer numbers fell, the criminals clearly recognising and taking advantage of this. The nature and scale of the criminality accelerated, fear, intimidation, and violence against the most vulnerable became common place, and it spread even further across the area, impacting more of the community for more of the time. The MO of the counterfeiting crime is quite unique as there is evident collaboration between criminal groups and thus a robustness that allowed it to endure. Prior attempts to tackle the issue [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{9}$ Manchester's Cheetham Hill is counterfeit hub of the UK - BBC News were not impactful due to agencies working in isolation, infrequent disruption activity and a lack of committed resources not being effectively focused via a problem orientated approach. Criminals employed a vast network of "spotters", paid just $£ 20$ per day to stand on street corners for hours, alerting their criminal associates when police and other agencies came to perform disruption activity. This 'early warning system' gave the criminals time to close external shutters on the shops, frustrating efforts to tackle the embedded criminality. If enforcement activity was initially successful, criminals recovered quickly, re-supplying and restocking the premises within hours working collaboratively. This all contributed to reinforcing the grip they had over the counterfeiting but also the communities in their shadow. Qualitative data from the community showed very little faith in the police to combat the issue and a significant decline in reporting which exacerbated the very little intelligence that was coming directly to the police. # Objective. The objective of Operation Vulcan was clear; rid the area of Cheetham Hill of the illegal trade in counterfeit goods and associated criminality. # Analysis Location. The area being densely packed with counterfeit shops meant that it became almost acceptable; a criminal hotspot that sold counterfeit goods without redress. This offered criminals a sense of protection as there had been no enduring enforcement activity having any discernible impact. The drivers identified through analysis included deprivation; Greater Manchester was identified as the second most deprived area in the UK in 2019 (appendix A20) with Cheetham Hill one of its most deprived wards. Cheetham Hill is run-down and has densely packed, Victorian era buildings that have been adapted without regulatory control. Landlords of shops are either linked to the organised crime, make vast sums by 'turning a blind eye', feel that it is acceptable due to the long-term nature of the issue, or they have no choice due to fear of the organised crime groups. This combination of factors provides ample places for criminals to set up counterfeit businesses and therefore makes it very opportune for offenders across a broad criminal spectrum. The concentration of offending witnessed in Cheetham Hill was unique in Greater Manchester. The reputation of being a 'counterfeit capital' meant a stream of visitors attending the area as if it were a legitimate shopping mall. There was no shortage of customers to sell goods to, despite them being poor quality and often dangerous. In terms of illegal markets, this is a very attractive feature as the footfall guarantees vast and reliable revenue. The area had become so well known that people would travel from across the UK and abroad to seek out the counterfeit goods that were being sold (appendix A21/22). MoRile ${ }^{10}$ is a scoring system utilised by law enforcement agencies to provide a tangible metric to an issue and guide what resourcing is required to tackle it. A MoRile scoring process was conducted at the inception of Operation Vulcan. Led by the Northwest Regional Organised Crime Unit, and involving peer agencies, bringing their intelligence and experience to the table. It assesses the threat, harm, and risk of a specific criminal issue and in this case the counterfeiting crime in Cheetham Hill. This produced a score of 858 which was the highest in GMP at that time (August 2022). Research from Operation PIVOT ${ }^{11}$ was then considered in relation to targeting entrenched long-term issues, with the same three things applying to Cheetham Hill: The place had become unsafe for police officers, there was a clear criminal network of different places that served different needs and it would require a multi-agency approach to tackle the issue effectively. Victims Immigration Enforcement provided intelligence of modern-day slavery, particularly against those from the Afghan community who were being forced to work in counterfeit premises for little pay and in exceptionally poor conditions. The community of Cheetham Hill were deeply affected, the organised crime nature meant that violence often spilled out onto the streets. They were exceptionally vulnerable simply from living in [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{10}$ Risk in Law Enforcement (MoRiLE) based scoring: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) ${ }^{11}$ Operation PIVOT John Eck the vicinity of the shops. They would be impacted by the crime that was ever present, organised by significant criminal groups and they had no choice but to endure it as it was so overt. The brands were having their intellectual property infringed and the UK economy as a whole was significantly impacted due to the tax revenue being lost to these criminal activities. They were vulnerable due to the apparent ease in replicating the high value goods and more so due to the general public not perceiving them as a victim. The shoppers coming for the counterfeit goods would themselves often be victimised, locked in shops before being intimidated into purchasing items. Women were routinely targeted, subjected to sexual or physical assaults and harassment. They were vulnerable as they were committing offences (the purchase of counterfeit goods) in these dangerous shops. # Offenders The PAT exercise identified layers of offenders replicating a management structure across the levels of organised crime. The offenders are male and work either outside the shops, manage the shops, provide the goods, or launder the money. The 33 OCGs linked to Cheetham Hill were drawn to the area by the level of wealth on offer. Money is a key driver, mirroring other research into this area by CPS, with the resultant wealth gained through the criminal enterprise being vast. ${ }^{12}$ The large number of active OCGs falls in line with what we understand about OCGs showing strong preference for certain geographical locations, and the activity of generational OCGs that continue offending in the same areas over considerable periods. This is no doubt responsible for the longevity of the offending in this location. ${ }^{13}$ All adding [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{12}$ Organised Crime - Strategy | The Crown Prosecution Service (cps.gov.uk) ${ }^{13}$ Preventing Organised Crime; Pitts, Hope, Hurley and McGibbon 2017 to this is the pack mentality; safety in numbers and feeling safe from being targeted by the police due to the lack of apparent activity for 40 years. Objects. The objects being sold within Cheetham Hill have been counterfeited to appear as luxury brands, these brands have a significant attraction within society. Items can be sold for 70-90\% less than the real item so in this area of significant deprivation it offers people the opportunity to purchase luxury items at affordable prices despite the dangers. Social acceptance within certain groups (especially teenage boys) is based on the clothing that they are wearing, providing a pressure on them and their parents to be seen in the 'latest' designer brand (appendix A23,24,25). Considering Cheetham Hill against the routine activity theory, there are highly motivated criminal enterprises driven by the vast amounts of money being made. Due to the reputation of the area, there are significant numbers of brands becoming victims as members of the public desire to own the product but are content with having counterfeit, thus cheaper versions. The counterfeit goods are cheaply made and easily imported with no guardians within the area to prevent this happening. Previously any attempt for a guardian to intervene has been met with bullying, violence and intimidation and the sheer scale of the problem has overwhelmed their efforts and resourcing. The barriers that faced Operation Vulcan were clear. - Lack of crime reporting and inaccurate intelligence picture. - Lack of trust/ confidence in the police. - Large scale issue that couldn't be resourced. - Very long-term issue which had endured previous attempts to tackle the issue. # Response Our response intended to overcome barriers identified in the analysis. An oversight committee was established, chaired by an Assistant Chief Constable, involving law enforcement, local authorities, charities, and national bodies. This created a joined-up approach and pooling of resources to tackle the mountainous task ahead. Funding of $£ 1.2$ million per year for 3 years was secured from the Proceeds of Crime Act funding ${ }^{14}$, demonstrating the policing intent. The intelligence barrier was significant. It became clear that partners had a wealth of information being held in silo. This supplemented the identified gaps in GMP data. Information sharing agreements were established to facilitate the flow of information and allowed a problem profile to be created, organising the multiple streams of available data. This was a significant step forward as it allowed Vulcan to pinpoint specific locations, mapping out the multiple layers of OCGs. In time this underpinned the specific POP plans for locations and individuals. Planning. Before tackling a specific premises, intelligence held by partners would be shared and plans made, discussing the relevant tactics. Intellectual Property Office, Immigration Enforcement, partners from trading standards and Manchester City Council provided a really detailed, rich picture. This steered the resource commitment from each partner and provided opportunity to adapt quickly if the criminals changed tactics. [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{14}$ Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme how GMP allocate funds under the Proceeds of Crime Act Execution. Joint disruption of the criminality via relentless activity with Local and National Trading Standards teams. They provided expert evidence of just how dangerous these counterfeit goods were, allowing us to educate the public on the risks whilst at the same time providing graphic examples to support and enhance prosecutions. Warrants were an important tactic. Through intensive police and partnership action, counterfeiters were left under no illusion that this was a relentless attack on their criminal enterprises and quickly set the rules for the area. Operation Vulcan brought a change in tactics, as never before had the offenders at every level been arrested and robustly prosecuted. This again was where we learned from the past and sent a clear message to those involved (appendix A26). New and innovative approaches have been the key to success. Criminals would often lock customers in the shops when police or partners arrived. Bearing in mind these shops have no fire escapes, toilets or appetite for health and safety it posed a significant risk to the customers as they were held against their will for several hours as the criminals attempted to evade arrest. Using legislation to its fullest we forced entry to the shops when criminals locked the shutters and doors. Arrests were made for false imprisonment and the shops emptied of customers and stock. This sent immediate shockwaves through the OCGs who thought they would be left alone if they just shut the doors (appendix A27). Enforcement was just the start; charity partners such as Mustard Tree and Booth centre were able to offer guardianship and support to those who were homeless and forced to work in the shops. Immigration provided initial support to those being exploited for their immigration status and then through the national referral mechanism. Overcoming challenges. Quickly we identified the process for seizing and disposing of tonnes of counterfeit goods needed refining and could provide some benefits. Learning from the private sector, such as Lighthouse Security, has been key in streamlining the disposal and repurposing of counterfeit clothing, debranding and then gifting to homeless charities. The brands and React UK supported us in devising an electronic system, quantifying the loss to the economy from the counterfeiters. This and the relationship built with these partners immediately enhanced the investigations as they would attend warrants, providing statements at the scene evidencing the counterfeit nature of the goods. Previously this process took months, but this small change sped up the criminal justice process which is now completed within weeks. Vulcan worked closely with CPS to expediate CJ outcomes and articulated the impact on communities when cases reached court. This meant offenders were taken off the streets much quicker and for longer than ever before. The importance of holding the location once it had been cleared of criminality was key. Initially there had been some success closing premises using civil orders. The plan was for GMP and Manchester City Council (MCC) to escalate the use of orders, however, it was identified that the legislation was slow to enact, had limited impact on the criminals and was tricky to enforce. Instead, we altered our approach and GM Fire and Rescue (GMFRS) had some incredible powers to close premises when they had been cleared of counterfeit goods. GMFRS provided a dedicated officer who responded and closed premises within the hour. These closures meant that premises could not be reopened unless all conditions had been satisfied. Significant renovations were needed before any fresh inspection. This has deterred rogue landlords who now leave the buildings vacant. Following warrants, the properties were permanently shuttered, which kept the counterfeiters out and gave legitimate landlords space to work with support from MCC and police. In the past no work had been done tackling the rogue landlords and so they continued to facilitate the criminal enterprise. HMRC, Immigration and Local Authorities engaged with landlords and those benefiting from the proceeds of the counterfeiting criminality. MCC reneged on the freehold agreements granted to these landlords as the operation evidenced their criminality. This is an important step in the long-term vision to create a new, vibrant area to replace what had been before. Operation Vulcan has a media campaign which includes local, national press, and social media. This is vital in passing key messages. As a shop was tackled, Vulcan would seek to deter future customers by sending a clear, unambiguous message that the goods were poor quality and unsafe, they risked falling victim to other criminality, and what was considered a bargain came with a history of exploitation and organised crime. Most important was sending a positive message to communities that we are committed to tackling long-term issues no matter how entrenched and difficult they may seem. This in turn bled through to the criminals as they realised this was an offensive against their money-making schemes. They were either going to be targeted by us or lose their customers. It was time to shut up shop (appendix A28)! # Assessment Demand Reduction. Partnership assessment of Vulcan by the consortium of brands showed that 206 of 206 shops selling counterfeit goods have closed (January 2024). It is expected that the next quarterly review will still show zero shops remaining. Since being targeted none of the counterfeit shops have reopened as criminal establishments. The landlords that felt at risk are now proactively seeking out GMP to engage and prevent the criminality returning, meaning that legitimate businesses are back in Cheetham Hill. The powerful few, rogue landlords and their vast illegitimate profits are subject of money laundering investigations by Vulcan, referrals for tax evasion, GMFRS enforcement, and legal action from MCC who hold much of the Freehold and now want to claim the buildings back. The previous MoRile score for Cheetham Hill stood at 858. It has been rescored and due to all the partnership activity, now stands at 0 . Action undertaken by Operation Vulcan has seen a diffusion of benefit on other crimes in Cheetham Hill (appendix A29): - $45 \%$ reduction in public order offences. - $36 \%$ increase in miscellaneous crimes - increase is entirely due to the number of trademark act offences Op Vulcan have recorded. - $69 \%$ reduction in vehicle crime. This area was previously a hotspot. - $62 \%$ reduction in violent crime. - $50 \%$ reduction in theft offences. - $63 \%$ reduction in criminal damage/arson. - $58 \%$ reduction in burglary. - $17 \%$ reduction in theft from person. - $50 \%$ reduction in personal robbery. - $100 \%$ reduction in stalking and harassment. - $52 \%$ reduction in the crime harm index. This is a national measure of how harmful the crime is in a certain area. This diffusion is attributed to a significant policing and partnership presence that has set the tone, vowing to be relentless in pursuit of criminals. It is also evident that the days of hundreds of people travelling to the area, have now gone. The streets are empty of both criminals and potential victims thus reducing the crime in this community. This reduction in crime type /harm index ${ }^{15}$ has been reviewed across the Com North more widely (the policing district where Vulcan operates). This was done to assess the potential for displacement but also evidence the theory that we, the partnership, were having an impact. It is clear that the impact on criminality is indeed a direct result of Vulcan with no identified displacement. # Economic Cost Analysis The electronic system devised to count the cost of counterfeit goods recovered has been a real success. This was a key feature of supporting the CPS in progressing cases. Using this we can say that the 1048 tonnes of counterfeit goods so far seized, would have meant a loss to the UK economy of $£ 1,560,000,000$. The direct loss to the OCGs is $£ 104,840,000$. When considered against the cost of the policing element for Op Vulcan ( $£ 1.2$ million per year of operation) this is a remarkable achievement in such a short time. [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{15}$ The Cambridge Crime Harm Index (CCHI) | Institute of Criminology Community feedback Our comms team have reached 3.1 million people, had 29.7 k likes, and 6.3 k comments. This means Op Vulcan achieved the best engagement of any operation in GMP. Some of the feedback from the community is included (appendix A30). Partner Feedback "It's great work. We are thanking you and willing you on - it's fantastic and phenomenal. You are on a hotbed of criminal activity so devastating - the long-term implications of it are so widespread. This is a national priority and you're really making a difference." Suella Braverman KC MP (Home Secretary). "Operation Vulcan is such an important initiative which is proving to be very successful in stopping and catching those who are blighting these communities. I've been really impressed to see first-hand how GMP's Operation Vulcan team, in coordination with partners, are stopping and catching those responsible and driving this criminal activity out." Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester. Further positive outcomes. A challenging but positive outcome has been the management of the counterfeit goods when they were seized. We made a commitment that none would go to landfill and through lengthy engagement with private industry have fulfilled this. Everything seized is repurposed; either shredded to turn into insulation or overbranded (the fake branding removed and replaced with a blank) and then donated to local homeless charities. Greater Manchester Combined Authority have established a project team for the regeneration of this entire area. Creating a neighbourhood, designed to attract legitimate business and support longterm growth. Whilst the geographic location supports this (adjacent to Manchester City Centre) the Director of Development for MCC has stated that only because of Op Vulcan is this possible. Their plans are bold, and the map outlines the scope and scale of the strategic regeneration framework. For context the area in red on the map is the area of the counterfeit shops but the plans for regeneration go much wider than just this and encompass what will become a new neighbourhood for the city and its communities (appendix A31,32). Word count 3898 # Appendix A. ## CRIME 6 MONTH PRIOR TO OP VULCAN ![img-0.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/manchester_police_operation_vulcan_2024_0/img-0.jpeg) 16 Quarter 2 crime figures for area of operation 2022. Crime data prior to implementation of Op Vulcan. IOPS. ![img-1.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/manchester_police_operation_vulcan_2024_0/img-1.jpeg) [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{17}$ Picture of Great Ducie street leading into Bury New Road. Credit GMP internal communications. ${ }^{18}$ Picture of Harris Street with occupancy rate of $89 \%$. Credit GMP internal communications. ![img-2.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/manchester_police_operation_vulcan_2024_0/img-2.jpeg) [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{19}$ Map showing Great Ducie Street/ Bury New Road. Area in red outlines the area of operation for OP Vulcan and contains the 206 identified counterfeit shops. Credit Manchester City Council (MCC). ${ }^{20}$ Map indicating the deprivation in Greater Manchester. Credit Gov.uk census data. # 'Shopping bruv?'': The traders and look-outs on Counterfeit Street defying the national lockdown Repeated police vanops and three lockdowns hasen't stopped the trade in fake goods ## Shocking video shows men attacking each other with poles in Cheetham Hill "This is a regular occurrence around here and we have to work in the middle of it." ![img-3.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/manchester_police_operation_vulcan_2024_0/img-3.jpeg) ## EXCLUSIVE: Counterfeit Street: Sunday Mirror investigates hidden 'shopping mall' of fake designer and electrical goods Hidden behind the shutters of apparently derelict shops lies an Aladdin's Cave of fake goods which attracts buyers from across the UK ![img-4.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/manchester_police_operation_vulcan_2024_0/img-4.jpeg) [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{21}$ Manchester Evening News Article dated 11/1/21 Headline "shopping Bruv?; the traders and look-outs on Counterfeit Street defying the national lockdown" ${ }^{22}$ Manchester Evening News Article dated 29/11/21 Headline "Shocking video showing men fighting each other with poles in Cheetham Hill" ${ }^{23}$ BBC News Article dated $19^{\text {th }}$ of December 2011 headline "Manchester's Cheetham Hill is the Counterfeit Hub of the UK" ${ }^{24}$ Daily Mirror article dated 16/6/14 headline "Counterfeit Street; Sunday Mirror investigates hidden mall of fake designer and electrical goods" ${ }^{25}$ GMP picture inside shop showing set up. Credit GMP internal communications. # Strangeways: Three arrests over counterfeit goods burglary ## Fifty people locked in rat-infested shop against their will 'with no way to escape' ## Greater Manchester Police @gmpolice \#SHUTDOWN| Operation Vulcan find rat infested counterfeit shop in Cheetham Hill holding over 50 customers against their will. GMP found large amounts of rat urine \& faeces all over the shelves, clothing, underwear \& make up that was being sold. ## Crime before and after Op Vulcan intervention ![img-5.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/manchester_police_operation_vulcan_2024_0/img-5.jpeg) [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{26}$ BBC News 28/10/22 headline "Strangeways: Three arrests in counterfeit burglary arrest" ${ }^{27}$ Metro News article dated 21/12/22 headline "fifty people locked in rat-infested shop against their will with no way to escape" ${ }^{28}$ GMP messaging via approved channels to quickly get the message out to over 4 million people. (GMP communications team February 2023) ${ }^{29}$ Crime numbers before and after Op Vulcan. IOPS ![img-6.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/manchester_police_operation_vulcan_2024_0/img-6.jpeg) ${ }^{30}$ Collated from Twitter (X) responses to GMP corporate comms articles around Op Vulcan. ${ }^{31}$ Regeneration plans for the area of Cheetham Hill. The area in red is the operational area for Vulcan but this has kicked started a much wider planning scheme for a large development. MCC planning directorate. ${ }^{32}$ This was a conceptual drawing but is now being built as a result of the Op Vulcan partnership. It is expected the area will entirely change over the next 5-10 years. MCC planning directorate. ![img-7.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/manchester_police_operation_vulcan_2024_0/img-7.jpeg) [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{33}$ Large quantities of illegal prescription medication have been recovered. The picture above dates from a raid in Cheetham Hill with a government agency where 1.2 million tablets were recovered. (BBC News October 2023) ${ }^{34}$ Once the shops were closed the team moved onto a network of storage containers. 212 were raided over 4 weeks and Europe's single largest seizure of counterfeits goods were the result ( 560 tonnes). (Manchester Evening News June 2023). ![img-8.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/manchester_police_operation_vulcan_2024_0/img-8.jpeg) [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{35}$ Large quantities of cash were recovered from both shop premises and the home addresses of offenders. This was all seized and forfeited to be reinvested into the community. (BBC News February 2023) ${ }^{36}$ The images come from the raid of a 'badging' factory. A location in Cheetham Hill where the fakes were produced. The scale of the operation required several Heavy Goods Vehicles to remove the counterfeit goods. (Sky News November 2023) # OPERATION YULCAN Working with partners and communities to rid Cheetham Hill and Strangeways of criminal activity ![img-9.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/manchester_police_operation_vulcan_2024_0/img-9.jpeg) [^0] [^0]: ${ }^{37}$ Infographic produced by GMP for external comms with business/ partners and communities. This showcases the successes and progress of the operation. (GMP internal communications team January 2024) # Appendix B. List of partners agencies. Manchester City Council Salford City Council Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services Greater Manchester Combined Authority Immigration Enforcement Border Force Intellectual Property Office His Majesty's Revenue and Customs Manchester Trading Standards Salford Trading Standards National Trading Standards Intelligence team. City of London Police Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit Northwest Regional Organised Crime Unit React UK Lighthouse security Boing Rapid secure Anti-Counterfeit Group Crown Prosecution Services National Crime Agency National Vehicle Intelligence Unit Brand representatives (39 in total and notified) HMP Manchester Mustard Tree The Home Office Violence reduction Unit Vehicle and Operator Services Agency