Traders of counterfeit goods targeted by Police with Trading Standards and Car Boot Sale site owner < Fleet News

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Fleet Town > Fleet News > Traders of counterfeit goods targeted by Police with Trading Standards and Car Boot Sale site owner

Traders of counterfeit goods targeted by Police with Trading Standards and Car Boot Sale site owner

11th June 2007

Hampshire Police, Hampshire Trading Standards and owners of a car boot sale site are working in partnership to target traders of counterfeit ‘designer' goods.

Police and trading standards officers seized goods that filled a transit sized van, from a trader selling mainly Lacoste tracksuits and Nike trainers at the popular Bursledon Car Boot sale. A second trader was also spoken to and dealt with for selling counterfeit DVDs.

The pre-planned operation was mounted after it had been noticed over several weeks that designer branded goods were being sold at bargain prices. Although everyone likes a bargain, many people who buy fake goods believe it is a ‘victimless crime'. This is not the case as every year, product counterfeiting costs legitimate UK businesses £220m, or six percent of turnover.

“Counterfeiting is theft” said Hampshire County Council Leader Ken Thornber. “Stealing the designs and brands of others is clearly linked to organised crime. Those producing illegal fakes are known to be using their profits to launder money from other crimes including drugs, gun smuggling and even terrorism.”

Hampshire Trading Standards state that sales of fake goods also impacts on local businesses. Every counterfeit product purchased at places like Bursledon market is one less product sold by legitimate business in the area, who pay their business rates and taxes, provide employment and contribute to the local economy.

Honest local retailers and market traders are facing unfair competition from trade in illegal copies. Transactions in fakes lead to a huge loss of VAT and other taxes which could fund schools and hospitals. Ultimately, local consumers buying these goods are fuelling the problem. Police officers will continue to work closely with the management of the site and will routinely patrol, looking out for anyone selling weapons, counterfeit goods, stolen property or committing other offences.

The owners of the site welcomed this initiative by Trading Standards and police, as illegal traders' impact on their reputation. They want everyone to go along and be able to grab a bargain, but not if it means breaking the law. Site security staff will support the police by continuing to patrol the site to identify potential offenders and have already identified and banned a person for selling weapons.

Sergeant Melanie Golding from Hampshire Police said: “We do not want to hinder legitimate activity or stop people making money, we simply want to stop illegal trading.

She added: “Anyone who knows of traders illegally selling fake goods should contact the police on 0845 045 45 45 or Trading Standards by ringing their hotline number 01962 833620."


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