'This is a priority for us': Police intensifying efforts to tackle 'counterfeit street' with weeks of raids

"Do some real policing," an onlooker shouts as police arrest three men inside S&P Casuals Ltd on 'counterfeit street' in Strangeways. The shop is filled with counterfeit goods, from fake Gucci T-shirts to fake Givenchy perfume.

And while many consider shops selling knock off goods for the fraction of the real price a victimless crime, it is often just a front for much more organised, and serious, crime. Money laundering, immigration offences, drugs trafficking, sexual offences, just to name a few.

As we drove down Bury New Road towards Strangeways in a marked police car it was clear we were being watched. Eyes became fixed on our car and phones were quickly taken out before the shutters on most stores were pulled down to conceal what could be inside. Many of these could have been 'spotters', who are constantly on the lookout for the police or council so shops can quickly hide their crimes, and have been accused of intimidating other legitimate businesses and shoppers who are in their territory.

READ MORE:Multiple shops on 'counterfeit street' shut down as network of 'intimidating' spotters discovered

But the target today was S&P Casuals Ltd opposite the infamous prison and within sight of the AO Arena and city centre. The blue lights came on at the last second, with a man sprinting from the premises tackled to the ground by plain clothed officers as he tried to escape.

Uniformed officers, tactical aid unit officers, and even members of City of London police quickly entered despite the shops best efforts to get the shutters down with three arrested under trademark offences. A crowd soon gathered recording every moment. "I was just coming to get a £15 Boss tracksuit," said two cheerful men coming to get some "cheap