Over 100 arrests in GMP crackdown on crime-ridden Manchester area

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.

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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