Police seize £15 million haul of fake designer goods in the north west

A series of police raids across Manchester have uncovered £15 million’s worth of counterfeit designer clothes and accessories.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The raids, conducted by Greater Manchester Police in partnership with City of London Police, also revealed stashes of fake branded electricals and bootlegged medication.

Around 45,000 items were seized with an estimated loss to brands of £15 million if sold at retail price, City of London Police said in a statement.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Handbags, shoes, perfume, make-up, sunglasses were among the cache, as well as fake brand labels that are often imported separately to be sewn onto counterfeit clothing and shoes.

The raids were conducted by Greater Manchester Police in partnership with City of London PoliceThe raids were conducted by Greater Manchester Police in partnership with City of London Police
The raids were conducted by Greater Manchester Police in partnership with City of London Police
Read More
Convicted child killers guilty of murdering mother in same arson attack

Four premises in Strangeways, Manchester, were raided between Monday and Wednesday this week, following an operation by the two forces’ intellectual property crime units.

Six people were arrested for offences relating to the importation and distribution of the fakes, while a seventh was arrested for intent to illegally supply prescription drugs.

Mobile phones and cash were seized from the suspects, City of London Police said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sixty officers and staff – including members of the Border Force and Immigration Service – worked on the operation, which was based on intelligence from a previous counterfeit goods investigation.

Superintendent Peter Ratcliffe, of the City of London Police’s intellectual property crime unit, said: “Selling counterfeit goods is illegal and, in the case of counterfeit electricals and medication, extremely dangerous.”

He added: “For the public, it is vital to remember you don’t know what other crimes you are funding when buying counterfeit goods, or the conditions those working for the criminals are conducting their business in.”

Inspector Helen Hallworth, of Greater Manchester Police’s City of Manchester division, said: “Selling counterfeit goods is illegal and the money made in these shops helps to fund organised crime, lining the pockets of criminals for much more sinister crimes which can have a devastating impact on our communities.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is thanks to our loyal readers that we can continue to provide the trusted news, analysis and insight that matters to you. For unlimited access to our unrivalled local reporting, you can take out a subscription here and help support the work of our dedicated team of reporters.