Operation Vulcan was implemented in November 2022 to crack down on the criminality in the area which has blighted the communities of Cheetham Hill and Strangeways for decades, exposing children to serious violence and subjecting honest business owners to extortion.
The counterfeit shops are just the tip of the iceberg with many customers perceiving these bargains as a victimless crime. Unfortunately, these cash only businesses allowed for hundreds of thousands of pounds to be funnelled into the criminal market, funding the drugs trade, firearms, exploitation, and money laundering.
Six months on, and police have shut down over 100 counterfeit shops.
But the most asked question is, ‘where does all this stuff go?’
A top priority for Operation Vulcan was to minimise waste and make sure the counterfeit items could be put to better use. Working with a specialist company, Lighthouse Security, police have been able to repurpose over 300 tonnes of counterfeit items, turning them into useful, safe products which the people of Greater Manchester and afar can benefit from.
For example, some of the hats, t shirts and gloves which are made from safe materials can simply be debranded and given to charities and local community organisations.
Those which are unsuitable or unsafe as they are get shredded and then reused to create items such as dog bedding or horse blankets. Even the packaging and boxes the items are sold in get re used and recycled and can create insulation for houses.
None of the counterfeit items that Operation Vulcan seize go to waste, Lighthouse Security find a solution for everything.
Inspector Andy Torkington, one of Operation Vulcan’s specialist officers said: “The community and their needs are at the heart of Operation Vulcan and the fact we have been able to repurpose and recycle everything and give it back to those in need really makes a difference.
“We are seeing excellent progress in the area, but there is still a long way to go until the criminality is eradicated. Our police presence will not stop, and we will continue to work with our partners to deliver on our promises to revitalise the area and protect the communities of Cheetham Hill and Strangeways.”
