THE REAL DEAL

Cops swarm on fakes capital in bid to crush crime

LYELL TWEED joins officers in Operation Vulcan crackdown on Counterfeit Street

THERE can be no doubt that Greater Manchester Police are taking the disruption and dismantling of 'Counterfeit Street' a small section in and around Bury New Road just outside the city centre - very seriously indeed.

Officers patrol the streets almost constantly to keep those illegally trading hiding behind their shutters.

Dozens of shops pack into any space available to sell knock-off designer clothes, perfume, electronics and handbags. And even on a day where many refuse to open their doors given the visible police threat, the footfall of people looking for cheap goods is high.

There's no doubt a lot of the people who visit Bury New Road are doing so innocently, looking for a bargain near Christmas. But beneath the surface some of the worst crimes are happening.