More than six months since a blitz on 'counterfeit street' began, Strangeways feels like a different place. Last month, it was revealed that the number of dodgy shops around Bury New Road and Great Ducie Street had been slashed from more than 200 to less than 10 since Operation Vulcan was launched last autumn.
But Greater Manchester Police is refusing to get complacent. Yesterday (May 30), more than 60 officers returned to the area alongside partner agencies to tackle any criminal activity they could find.
Five people have been arrested for a variety of offences, including possession of drugs with the intention to supply and immigration offences.
Nine vehicles, a large knife and a large amount of counterfeit clothes were also seized, along with an amount of illegal drugs. READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community It followed a search of five vehicles and 10 people in the area.