£4.5m of counterfeit products removed from Manchester's streets in 2025

Image: Greater Manchester Police

Over 43,500 counterfeit products were seized and destroyed by Manchester City Council’s Trading Standards Team last year, with a street value of nearly £4.5m.

Street sales take business away from genuine suppliers, who are estimated to have lost £34m - £43m on potential sales of items including handbags, trainers, jewellery, electronics, sportswear, children’s toys and sunglasses.

Detective Chief Inspector, Melanie Johnson, said: “Last year we collaborated with Manchester City Council’s Trading Standards to tackle businesses on our high streets that were being used as a front for criminality and putting our communities at risk...

"The joint partnership operation has enabled GMP to gather further information and intelligence enhancing our understanding of criminality within these types of businesses.

Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “The counterfeit industry was substantially embedded in our communities, but through their diligence and the support of our valued partners we have driven away some of the worst offenders and are beginning the process of regenerating the areas of Manchester that were long blighted by this sort of crime."

In an effort to clamp down on the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco, 316,625 cigarettes – equivalent to nearly 16,000 individual packs - were seized as well as 258kg of hand rolling tobacco and over 18,000 illegal vapes.

Cheaper illicit tobacco offers less incentive for Mancunians to quit smoking and move away from tobacco products. The products are not compliant with UK law or regulations, and often shipped in from oversees.

Detective Chief Inspector, Melanie Johnson, said: "We take any information we receive very seriously and will continue to investigate all aspects of this criminality to protect our communities from the harms of illegal products."

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