Police in the UK have donated 1,000 tonnes of fake designer gear to the homeless after a huge counterfeit raid. 

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) shut down over 100 fake designer shops in central Manchester as part of ‘Operation Vulcan’ to rid the area of counterfeit goods.

Many of the shops were found to be selling fake designer clothes, handbags, shoes, and Rolex watches.

The raid resulted in almost 1,000 tonnes of counterfeit items being repurposed, recycled, or donated to the homeless.

Before the giveaways, the police had to remove the fake designer labels from the clothing which is called debranding. 

Items that were unsuitable or unsafe were shredded to create new items such as bedding or blankets.

Packaging and boxes that the items were sold in have been recycled into insulation for houses.

Greater Manchester Police donated hundreds of items of clothes to a local anti-poverty charity the Mustard Tree.

The charity works to combat poverty, inequality, and homelessness in Manchester.

Inspector Dan Cullum of Greater Manchester Police 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.’

Harry Dwan from the Mustard Tree 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.

‘We can’t thank the Op Vulcan team enough.’