At the end of December, a team of officers from Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) City of Manchester Division, were on duty patrolling the Cheetham Hill and Strangeways area, as part of a high visibility, proactive operation to disrupt the sale of counterfeit goods. At the end of December, a team of officers from Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) City of Manchester division, were on duty patrolling the Cheetham Hill and Strangeways area, as part of a high visibility, proactive operation to disrupt the sale of counterfeit goods. Officers were on the streets providing a visible presence in order to deter those who sell counterfeit items from approaching potential customers, they were also engaging with members of the public in the area – handing out leaflets with information on how the sale of counterfeit goods is often associated with organised criminal gangs, as well as educating them on what the dangers can be when you buy these untested and unregulated items. During the operation, one man was arrested and charged for possession of an offensive weapon and a breach of a court order and another was charged for failing to appear at court. Inspector William Jennings-Wharton, of GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “I understand that the low prices of counterfeit goods can lure members of the public into buying them, so part of our tactic in disrupting the sale of fake goods, is to educate the public on what the risks and consequences behind those low prices can be. “Counterfeit goods can not only have a negative impact on communities as a whole, with their sale linked to funding organised criminal activity as well as attracting more criminality to the area – as our action today demonstrates, but it can also have a personal impact on those who have brought it as these items are often not safety tested and not in-line with industry standards which can have dangerous consequences. That is why this operation marks the start of our ‘#WhatsItReallyWorth?’ initiative which aims to shed light on the risks posed by this type of criminality. We will be continuing to work with partners as part of the initiative, to take action against those involved in the sale of counterfeit goods, as well as working with the community and engaging with those who visit the area. “If any members of the public have information that may assist us, I urge you to report it online or by using the LiveChat facility at www.gmp.police.uk or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."