Trading Standards officers from Kent County Council swooped on a bootfair on Sunday (24 July), aided by Kent Police and the Anti-Counterfeiting Group, in a crackdown on the sale of counterfeit goods.
Officers and brand representatives raided Pedham Place in Swanley, seizing 1,579 counterfeit items such as tobacco, clothing, watches, sunglasses, and furniture. If the products were genuine, they would be worth approximately £530,000.
Clive Phillips, KCC Trading Standards Operations Manager, stated, “The sale of counterfeit products undermines local legitimate businesses and will not be tolerated.
“Counterfeit products are of poor quality and do not meet stringent consumer safety standards.” It is well documented that the proceeds from the sale of counterfeit goods are frequently used to fund organised criminal gangs.
We will continue to work with Kent Police and trade mark representatives to combat this illegal activity.
The sale of counterfeit goods is often viewed as a low-level crime, but in reality, those who sell counterfeit goods are undermining legitimate businesses and putting consumers at risk of harm from inferior products,” said Graham Mogg, Intelligence Coordinator at the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG), who attended the action.
“Those involved in this illegal trade do not pay taxes and rob vital public services of much-needed revenue.” This activity also helps to fund more mainstream criminal activities like drug trafficking and money laundering.
“The ACG and the National Markets Group for intellectual property protection applaud Kent Trading Standards and Police at the market, and we will continue to support them in order to protect consumers and legitimate traders.”
Residents are asked to call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline at 0808 223 1133 to report the sale of counterfeit goods in their community.
