50 shoppers locked in rat-infested fakes store

FIFTY customers were locked inside a rat-infested fake clothing store in Manchester's Counterfeit Street.

- NEAL KEELING

They were discovered being held against their will inside the premises on Great Ducie Street, with some trapped on the first floor with no means of escape.

Police were on patrol in the area on Sunday when they spotted a man acting suspiciously trying to close the shutters of the premises. A man in his 60s was detained and police opened the doors when a group of customers ran out. More customers were found inside a further three rooms on the second and third floor. They'd been locked in against their will when the man had spotted the police.