More than six months since a blitz on 'counterfeit street' began, Strangeways feels like a different place. Last month, it was revealed that the number of dodgy shops around Bury New Road and Great Ducie Street had been slashed from more than 200 to less than 10 since Operation Vulcan was launched last autumn.
But Greater Manchester Police is refusing to get complacent. Yesterday (May 30), more than 60 officers returned to the area alongside partner agencies to tackle any criminal activity they could find.
Five people have been arrested for a variety of offences, including possession of drugs with the intention to supply and immigration offences. Nine vehicles, a large knife and a large amount of counterfeit clothes were also seized, along with an amount of illegal drugs.
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It followed a search of five vehicles and 10 people in the area. Meanwhile, 62 traffic offences were recorded, while five prohibitions were placed on vehicles in a poor condition.
Staff from Biffa also removed two tonnes of waste from the streets, while officers issued several fines for parking and waste enforcement. The operation also gave GMP the opportunity "to speak to people in the community about key issues" - including anti-social driving, theft, burglary and drug dealing.
As part of the day, HM Prison and Probation Service also offered two teams of probationers on Community Payback the chance to litter pick and tidy up the Mary Street area. Sergeant Dan Cullum, one of Operation Vulcan’s specialist officers, said: “It was great to be joined by so many of our partner agencies and officers from across the force today.
"The benefit of working together is that we can combine our intelligence and skills to face local problems together and find sustainable solutions. Whilst we made a number of positive arrests today, our main priority was to show to community that Operation Vulcan is still here, tackling the crimes that matter most to them.
“We want local people to get involved and to keep talking to us, sharing concerns and reporting suspicious behaviour so we can act on it. Intelligence from members of the public helps us with our on-going investigations - no matter how small the information may seem.”
Intelligence can be passed on to GMP online or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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