The team who shut down counterfeit street win prestigious national policing award

Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Vulcan has won the 2023 Tilley Awards, which is a national award that acknowledges and celebrates the best examples of problem solving in UK policing.

In just eleven months, the team have seized almost 1,020 tonnes of counterfeit items which has an estimated street value of over £137 million – this is a staggering loss of funds to the criminals wishing to sell these items. Over 200 counterfeit shops have been shut down, over 100 warrants have been executed, and 221 people have been arrested in connection to a range of offences in the area including false imprisonment, trademark offences, and possession with intent to supply. Over half a million pounds has been seized, and violent crime and public order offences have been reduced by 50%.

The area today paints a very different picture, and this is down to relentless efforts from police and partners who combined resources, powers, and policies to target every level of criminality.

Placing prevention and problem solving at the core of this operation has enabled police and partners to make real, long-term changes to the area by tackling the root issues.

The Operation was launched in November 2022 to tackle the organised crime gangs who were embedded into the local community, causing misery to local residents who were often caught in the midst of gang violence.

Following the operation's success in Cheetham Hill, it has now been rolled out to the Piccadilly Garden’s area of Manchester city centre.

Detective Superintendent Neil Blackwood, who leads the team of specialist officers, said: “I’m incredibly honoured to accept this award on behalf of the Operation Vulcan team. Over the past eleven months, I’ve had the privilege of working with a team of dedicated officers and partner agencies who have given their all to tackle the organised crime associated the counterfeit trade to create sustainable changes in the area.

“The area feels completely different to where we were eleven months ago, but the hard work isn’t over yet. We’re committed to staying in the area and making sure no criminality can creep back in. The community has always been at the heart of this operation, and I hope residents feel supported and can be involved in the next stages of Operation Vulcan, which will be to improve the overall area for the fantastic communities who reside there.”