Greater Manchester Police donate counterfeit goods to charity

A police force has donated clothing it removed from counterfeit shops to charity.

The items have been seized as part of Operation Vulcan, run by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), which aims to clear areas of the region of the counterfeit goods trade.

Some of the clothing has been de-branded and given to charities and community organisations.

Unsuitable items have been shredded to create new items such as bedding.

Operation Vulcan launched in August 2022 and since then officers have conducted hundreds of raids on counterfeit shops.

Working with a specialist company, almost 1,000 tonnes of counterfeit items have been repurposed or recycled, the force said.

Insp Dan Cullum said: "The community and their needs are at the heart of Operation Vulcan and the fact that we have been able to repurpose and recycle everything and give it back to those in need really makes a difference."

The team said it had donated hundreds of items of clothes to local charity the Mustard Tree, which works to combat poverty, inequality and homelessness in Manchester.

Harry Dwan, from the charity, said: "This donation is gratefully received and will now be provided to those who need it most such as those sleeping on the streets, low-income families and those who are most vulnerable in the community."

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X, and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]