What happens to all the fake clothes police seize on Bury New Road?
17.12.2023 - 07:59
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Over the last year or so, the sight of squads of police officers - prising open the security shutters as they launch yet another raid - has become a familiar one on Manchester's notorious 'Counterfeit Street'. Since last November, when GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson vowed to clean up the area around Bury New Road in Strangeways 'once and for all', more than 200 counterfeit shops have been closed down.
But what happens to all the fake designer clothes, handbags and other goods cops seize in the process? Since Operation Vulcan - the codename given to the crackdown - was launched, more than 1,000 tonnes of items have been impounded.
Some of the hats, t shirts and gloves have been stripped of fake logos and given to charities and local community organisations. Meanwhile, items that are unsuitable or unsafe for reuse have been shredded to create totally new items such as bedding or blankets.
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Even some of the packaging and boxes has been recycled into insulation for houses. Police say nothing has gone to waste.
This week hundreds of items of clothes were donated to Manchester-based homeless charity Mustard Tree.
Insp Dan Cullum, one of Operation Vulcan's specialist officers, said: "The community and their needs are at the heart of Operation Vulcan and the fact that we have been able to repurpose and recycle everything and give it back to those in need really makes a difference."
Harry Dwan from the Mustard Tree said: "This donation is gratefully received and will now be provided to those who need it