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
Subjects for first vocational equivalent to A-Levels revealed ahead of introduction next year
Emily Sergeant
The subjects for the first vocational equivalent to A-Levels have been revealed ahead of their introduction into the curriculum next year.
Claiming that too many have been ‘held back’ by a system that didn’t ‘value every route to success’, the Government has now announced that young people will be able to take the very first V-Levels in subjects like education, finance, and digital in 2027, as part of landmark reforms to close the skills gap and help them secure well-paid jobs.
V-Levels are described as being ‘transformational’ new qualifications where learning is designed around real jobs and the skills that employers actually need.
They combine study and real‑world work experience to achieve the final outcome.
As mentioned, the new qualifications will be introduced next year for 16‑year‑olds, providing a year of study before progressing to V-Levels, T-Levels or A-Levels – with the initial subjects being Education and Early Years, and Digital.
The first subjects for the vocational equivalent to A-Levels have been revealed / Credit: EasyPeasyAI | JESHOOTS (via Unsplash)
A separate two‑year, employment‑focused route will also be available for those aiming to move straight into work or an apprenticeship after education.
Students who want to specialise in technical, sector-focused studies will also have more options, as T-Levels will soon be expanded to include subjects such as Sports, Fitness and Exercise Science, and Care Services.
These further changes to T-Levels will refine content and assessment, and allow providers more scope to tailor industry placements, to ensure that more young people can access them.
“Our bold reforms will end the snobbery in post-16 education, supporting young people with real choice and real opportunity to build secure, future‑proof careers,” commented Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, as the V-Level subjects were announced.
“Not only that, but it will give parents much-needed confidence in a system that values every route to success, as we continuing driving forward our mission to ensure two‑thirds of young people are in education, training, or apprenticeships by 25.”
Bill Watkin, Chief Executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association, added: “We are pleased that a third qualification pathway will sit alongside A levels and T levels in the future.
“The changes announced to T levels today are also very welcome and should make it easier for more young people to study a T level and for schools and colleges to offer them.”
Featured Image – The Labour Party (via Flickr)
News
Salford man jailed after pointing loaded gun at police and members of public while on the run
Emily Sergeant
A man from Salford has been jailed for more than a decade after he pointed a loaded gun at police officers and members of the public while he was on the run.
Jay Conway, of Leicester Walk in Salford, appeared at Manchester Crown Court last week (6 March 2026) where he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and assault of an emergency worker, as well as also pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs.
His sentencing comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Salford Challenger team were patrolling Albert Park in plain clothes on Tuesday 20 May 2025.
They spotted a man riding an e-bike and wearing a balaclava, and attempted to detain him there and then, but despite their best efforts, he fled the area, brandishing what officers believed to be a pistol in the process.
The suspect – which was later identified as Conway – stole a bike and cycled on to Great Clowes Street, where a neighbourhood officer heading towards the incident attempted to detain him but he resisted. The officer deployed his Taser but he drew the pistol for a second time, pointing it at police and also at a member of the public.
Conway then dropped the firearm – which police later confirmed as a viable, loaded pistol – and a mobile phone, and fled for a second time.
Thanks to a ‘fast-paced and thorough’ investigation by specialist GMP teams, involving forensic analysis of the phone and CCTV which identified Conway as the suspect, he was arrested by armed officers the following day in Whalley Range.
“Nobody – a police officer or a member of the public – should be confronted by a gun,” said Detective Superintendent Simon Moyles, following Conway’s sentencing.
“These were frightening incidents and Conway is clearly a dangerous individual who is rightly serving a prison sentence. We need to commend and recognise our officers who showed immense bravery in trying to stop Conway.
“Guns have no place on our streets and the work we are doing in Salford, and across Greater Manchester, in relation to firearms incidents continues.
“If you know anyone who is using, or possesses, an illegal firearm, we urge you to get in touch with us as, for each firearm we recover, that’s potentially a life saved.”
The Manc -
23rd April 2021 
