Crackdown on serious organised crime

Crackdown on serious organised crime

The region’s largest ever crackdown on serious organised crime started this week as Greater Manchester Police set about tackling counterfeit goods, illegal money lending and a range of other offences as part of Programme Challenger.

The multi-agency week of action has seen the police join forces with local authorities, Trading Standards, the Illegal Money Lending Team, HMRC, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, Environmental Health and a number of other agencies as it worked to dismantle and destroy organised crime across Greater Manchester.

There has been a large education programme throughout the week to raise awareness of loan sharks in the lead up to Christmas with events held at schools and community centres across the region, providing opportunities for both adults and young people across Greater Manchester to learn more.

Another part of the week focused on North Manchester, specifically Cheetham Hill as officers targeted the sale of counterfeit goods. So far, the week of action has seen £5million in fakes seized, and 12 people arrested for counterfeit offences.

Detective Inspector Chris Mossop said: “Make no mistake, the sale of counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime – the peddling of these fakes can ruin communities, putting legitimate local companies out of pocket, and out of business.

“If a person buys a fake jacket, handbag or watch, they are indirectly lining the pockets of criminal gangs, who use the cash to fund further illegal and often violent activity, or the purchase of guns and drugs.”

“But it isn’t just counterfeit goods we have pursued - the week of action has been a great success in tackling loan sharking and organised crime right across the board.

“We have been working hard to not only remove these criminals and their activities from our streets, but also to reach out to local residents and businesses, to discuss their concerns and provide assistance whilst raising awareness of organised crime and how to report it.

“The work doesn’t stop here – as always, we’ll continue to go after those who seek to damage our communities, and protect the vulnerable people they seek to exploit.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.