In 2025 Manchester City Council’s Trading Standards Team seized and destroyed nearly £4.5m of counterfeit goods.
Ranging from fake handbags, trainers, jewellery, electronic items, sportswear, to children’s toys and sunglasses there are few areas that the counterfeit goods industry does not reach.
However, through exemplary partnership work alongside Greater Manchester Police, and brand representatives this criminal industry has taken a substantial hit over the past 12 months.
Of the more than 43,500 counterfeit items which were seized it is estimated that the value lost to the industry was between £34m – £43m.
In addition to counterfeit goods a substantial push was made throughout the year to crack down on the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco. Sold in packaging not compliant with UK law and often shipped in from oversees, it presents a substantial impediment to supporting Mancunians to quit smoking and move away from tobacco products.
As Manchester has some of the worst health outcomes in the country when it comes to smoking-related illnesses it is hugely important that steps are taken to curtail the sale of illicit tobacco.
In total, 316,625 cigarettes – equivalent to nearly 16,000 individual packs were seized. In addition, 258kg of hand rolling tobacco was seized, as well as more than 18,000 illegal vapes which do not comply with UK laws or regulations.
