A year of action: More than 43,000 counterfeit products removed from Manchester’s streets in 2025
In 2025 Manchester City Council’s Trading Standards Team seized and destroyed nearly £4.5m of counterfeit goods.
Ranging from fake handbags, trainers, jewellery, electronic items, sportswear, to children’s toys and sunglasses there are few areas that the counterfeit goods industry does not reach.
However, through exemplary partnership work alongside Greater Manchester Police, and brand representatives this criminal industry has taken a substantial hit over the past 12 months.
Of the more than 43,500 counterfeit items which were seized it is estimated that the value lost to the industry was between £34m – £43m.*
In addition to counterfeit goods a substantial push was made throughout the year to crack down on the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco. Sold in packaging not compliant with UK law and often shipped in from oversees, it presents a substantial impediment to supporting Mancunians to quit smoking and move away from tobacco products.
As Manchester has some of the worst health outcomes in the country when it comes to smoking-related illnesses it is hugely important that steps are taken to curtail the sale of illicit tobacco.
In total, 316,625 cigarettes – equivalent to nearly 16,000 individual packs were seized. In addition, 258kg of hand rolling tobacco was seized, as well as more than 18,000 illegal vapes which do not comply with UK laws or regulations.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “I am incredibly proud of the results that our officers achieved throughout 2025. The counterfeit industry was substantially embedded in our communities, but through their diligence and the support of our valued partners we have driven away some of the worst offenders and are beginning the process of regenerating the areas of Manchester that were long blighted by this sort of crime.
“Through Operations Elswick and Machinize run in collaboration with GMP we have made a significant impact against criminal enterprises and we hope this sends a message that we will not tolerate this harmful trade.”
Detective Chief Inspector Melanie Johnson, lead coordinator over Operation Machinize for GMP, said: “Last year we collaborated with Manchester City Council’s Trading Standards to tackle businesses on our high streets that were being used as a front for criminality and putting our communities at risk.
“As a result of our operations, we managed to seize over £1 million worth of illegal items.
“The joint partnership operation has enabled GMP to gather further information and intelligence enhancing our understanding of criminality within these types of businesses.
“We take any information we receive very seriously and will continue to investigate all aspects of this criminality to protect our communities from the harms of illegal products.”
*Note on Lost Value
This is the estimated loss of money when comparing the price of a sold counterfeit item, vs the authentic product. Ie., if a pair of counterfeit Nike shoes were sold for £20, when the RRP was £90, the lost value would be £70.
