Counterfeit goods worth approximately £250,000 and illegal realistic imitation firearms were seized from eight stalls at Polesworth market on Bank Holiday Monday (May 5) following a coordinated raid by Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service and Warwickshire and Staffordshire Police forces.
With the assistance of legitimate traders and copyright holders, thousands of suspect counterfeit goods including clothing, sunglasses, trainers and jewellery were seized from eight stalls on the market.
Goods bore the names a large number of brands including: Timberland; Nike; Armani; Harley Davidson; Jack Daniels; Oakley; Henry Lloyd and Stone Island.
Approximately 50 illegal realistic imitation firearm ‘BB’ (ball bearing), guns were also taken in the raid. It is now illegal to sell ‘BB’ guns that could be mistaken for genuine firearms.
Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection said:
"I hope that these large scale seizures will send out a strong message to those who sell and manufacture counterfeit goods or illegal realistic imitation firearms, that we will not tolerate them being sold in Warwickshire.
We will continue to help protect the public by removing from sale illegal realistic imitation firearms and protect genuine businesses from those who seek to undermine their legitimate trade by selling fake goods."
If you see counterfeit goods or illegal realistic imitation firearms being sold in Warwickshire, report the matter to Consumer Direct West Midlands on 08454 04 05 06.
Investigations are now continuing with a view to prosecute.
Sergeant Roger Fildes from the North Warwickshire Safer Neighbourhood Team, speaking about the successful operation said, “This is an excellent example of team working involving different partners.
“The scale of the seizures of counterfeit goods shows how widespread the problem is.
“In addition to the counterfeit goods seized by Trading Standards, a number of illegal imitation guns were also seized. It is now illegal to sell realistic looking imitation guns, and their seizure will help to make North Warwickshire and surrounding areas a safer place to be.
“Such was the success of the joint operation that we are already planning similar operations at other forthcoming events.” |