Police and trading standards officers have closed down 28 shops on Manchester's notorious 'Counterfeit Street' after they were found flouting lockdown restrictions.
Shops around Strangeways were spotted letting customers inside and ignoring social distancing rules during a police and trading standards operation.
The breaches came despite police writing to businesses the day before 'as a reminder of the lockdown restrictions currently in place'. All 28 shops were given prohibition notices, barring them from reopening until restrictions have been lifted on non-essential retailers.
If the notice is breached, the owner could face prosecution and an unlimited fine.
Supt Rebecca Boyce at Greater Manchester Police said: "Many businesses across Greater Manchester have been complying with government guidelines and legal requirements and we appreciate the ways in which people and business owners have adapted to these changes. However, there have been a small minority that have continued to remain open, which is risking the health of their staff and anyone that enters the premises.
"We understand the disruption these regulations have made to everyone’s lives, however they are in place to protect everyone and prevent the spread of Covid-19. The partner work of today is part of the Op Magpie approach, which aims to highlight intellectual property crime, counterfeiting and the associated crime and anti-social behaviour in the areas of Cheetham Hill and Strangeways."
Coun Rabnawaz Akbar, from Manchester City Council, said: "Criminals need to know that we will not tolerate their illegal behaviour and equally, we will not stand idle as landlords do nothing to prevent criminality on their literal doorstep. Residents of Manchester are reminded that non-essential retail businesses remain closed to access and that by visiting counterfeit traders in this area they are putting their health at risk as well as funding organised crime."
In March police seized a massive £7.5m-worth of fake goods during the biggest ever raid on the area.
The haul - removed in two articulated lorries - included bogus YSL, North Face, Nike, Boss and Valentino clothing - plus cheap counterfeit perfume and aftershave.
