Dodgy shops are being raided week after week, punters are being urged to stay away, and there was even talk of demolition. So is the message about 'Counterfeit Street' starting to come through?
These images show the notorious stretch of Bury New Road and Great Ducie Street, in the Strangeways area. It's a Saturday afternoon, and the area would so often be a hive of activity.
Shoppers would scurry along the street clutching unmarked carrier bags filled with counterfeit goods, while 'spotters' would stand on doorways and street corners on the look-out for police officers. Yet in recent months, Greater Manchester Police and Manchester Council have taken on a relentless blitz against the rogue retailers.
And these photos show their efforts could be having a huge impact. 'Counterfeit Street' was deserted as the Manchester Evening News visited the area today (February 4). Tired-looking buildings lined the streets with their shutters closed.
On one building, a banner fluttered in the breeze, with the message that the premises had been closed by the authorities. The ongoing blitz is called Operation Vulcan, with specialist officers working to make sure traders can't simply open their doors back up following a raid, as happened in the past.
Detective Sergeant Matt Donnelly, of Operation Vulcan, said: “Operation Vulcan is tackling serious organised crime in the area and the last eight weeks has seen major disruption to every level of criminality in the area. An integral part of this operation’s success is engaging with members of the local community, which is most effective when we work with our partners, and the closures this week are an example of our multi agency approach in action.
“We want to work closely with local landlords and businesses to restore Cheetham Hill and Strangeways to the thriving hub it once was, making it a place for legitimate businesses to prosper.” As part of the operation, closure notices are being served on properties and regular checks are being made to make sure they are complied with.
Firefighters are also inspecting buildings and serving prohibition notices, meaning safety improvements have to be made before the properties can be brought back into use. Coun Luthfur Rahman, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, has high hopes for the ongoing project.
"Operation Vulcan is about more than just enforcement," he said. "It’s about building back a sense of unity in the area. Working with business owners and landlords we want to show that Cheetham Hill can be a place for businesses to thrive and that once rogue traders are kicked out, they’re kicked out for good.”
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