An estimated £15 million worth of counterfeit designer clothes and accessories have been seized during a number of raids in central Manchester.
Counterfeit branded clothing, shoes, electrical goods, watches, jewellery, perfume, and even suspected fake medication were all found and seized during three days of raids on four premises in the Cheetham Hill area, near to Manchester city centre.
Fake brand labels have also been uncovered.
The raids were conducted by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and City of London Police.
Four premises in Strangeways were raided by officers between Monday 19th April and Wednesday 21st April as part of a large-scale operation aimed to crackdown on the sale of counterfeit goods, and according to the City of London Police, around 45,000 items were seized during the raids, with an estimated loss to brands of £15 million if sold at retail price.
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City of London Police
The joint action between the police forces, Border Force and Immigration Services, saw seven people arrested.
Six people were arrested for offences relating to the importation and distribution of counterfeit goods, and one was arrested for intent to supply prescription drugs.
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Mobile phones and money were also seized.
Speaking on the raids, Detective Superintendent Paul Denn – from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit – said: “Buying and selling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime.
“As well as damaging legitimate businesses, it helps to fund organised crime, and with that often comes violence [so] whenever we receive intelligence about illegal goods, we will always work closely with our colleagues in the City of London Police and other partners to investigate and take the appropriate action”.
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City of London Police
Inspesctor Helen Hallworth, of Greater Manchester Police, added: “Working in partnerships such as this is instrumental when tackling counterfeit operations, as each unit is able to bring its own precise specialisms to help achieve the most effective policing operation.
“Please be under no false illusions that the selling of counterfeit goods is a victimless crime.
“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.
“Finally, be aware that counterfeit goods can pose a serious health risk to individuals as they have not undergone the health and safety checks that are mandatory for mainstream goods”.
You can find more via the City of London Police website here.
Featured Image – City of London Police
News
Man charged after ‘serious assault’ of police officers in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
A man has been charged after several police officers were seriously assaulted in Manchester city centre earlier this week.
At around 4:55pm on Tuesday 12 May, officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) city centre policing team were patrolling in the Denmark Road area of central Manchester when a man spat at a marked police vehicle as it drove past.
Officers stopped to speak with the man, but he then produced a knife and proceeded to attack them.
During the distressing incident, one officer was slashed in the face and neck and sustained serious injuries in the process, while two other officers were also assaulted and suffered minor injuries.
The offender – who GMP has now formally named as 40-year-old Dwayne Roxbrough – was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, possession of a bladed article, and possession of Class B drugs, and at this time, he remains in custody for questioning.
A man has been charged after police officers were ‘seriously assaulted’ in Manchester city centre/ Credit: GMP
It has now been confirmed that Roxbrough has been charged with Section 18 wounding, two counts of possession of a knife in a public place, possession of a controlled Class B drug, Section 47 assault, and the assault of an emergency worker.
He is due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today (Thursday 14 May).
“Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the public and this was a violent and potentially life-threatening attack,” commented Detective Superintendent Ian McNabb, from GMP’s City of Manchester district.
“No one should go to work fearing violence and our officers are no exception.
“We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and will work tirelessly to ensure the offender is brought to justice.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Traders to move out of Manchester food hall as it pivots to ‘new chapter’
Daisy Jackson
Manchester food hall New Century will be closing its kitchens, it has announced, making way for a ‘new chapter’.
The New Century Kitchens are home to some top local food traders, including Parmogeddon’s Fricken concept, Wholesome Junkies, and Ply Pizza.
The food hall opened in 2022 as part of the iconic music venue’s rebirth, creating a modern mid-century space with six kitchens.
In the years since, it’s welcomed a rotation of amazing food offerings, including Hip Hop Chip Shop, Banh Vi, and Zumuku Sushi.
Now, New Century Kitchens has announced it will be ‘evolving’ to make live events part of the offering across the venue – not just upstairs in the main gig space.
That means that the traders currently based here will be moving out, though the venue has assured people that they have been supported as they take their next steps.
New Century said that music is in the building’s ‘DNA’ and this chapter will reflect that.
New Century Kitchens will close, with traders moving outNew Century is entering a ‘new chapter’
In a statement shared with The Manc, they said: “The ground floor at New Century is evolving. We are currently finalising plans for live events to become an even bigger part of our offering across the whole of the venue.
“As part of this evolution the current community of independent traders are moving onto exciting new chapters, and we have been working very closely with them to support all of these brilliant businesses in their next steps.
“Music is in the DNA of our iconic building and this new chapter will reflect that.
“New Century is a place for people to come together through entertainment and good hospitality and we’re looking forward to sharing more details soon.”
The Manc -
23rd April 2021 
