£1m of counterfeit goods seized at market in Three Rivers

Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards Officers, assisted by Hertfordshire Police and brand representatives from the Anti-Counterfeiting Group, seized counterfeit goods with a street value of over £1m on Saturday 17 December.

The goods were seized from an open-air market that has recently been established at Shire Farm, near Chorleywood, following customer complaints and tip-offs that counterfeit goods were on sale.

The items seized included counterfeit clothing, trainers, perfume, leather goods and earphones.

Trading Standards officers are now investigating the individuals responsible and the source of the goods, with a view to bringing criminal prosecutions where possible.

Cllr Morris Bright MBE, Hertfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “The sale of counterfeit goods harms unsuspecting consumers as well as legitimate traders. We want to keep people safe from harm and support the local economy, which is why we’re determined to crack down on people who knowingly sell fake goods.

“We know people are always on the look out for bargains, but we want to remind people that while fake or counterfeit goods might be tempting, they are often a false economy. Products are rarely manufactured in compliance with safety regulations and can pose a serious risk to health.”

For consumer advice visit  www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards  or to report a business to Trading Standards go to  Reporting to Trading Standards - Citizens Advice