Issued By
  West Yorkshire Trading
  Standards Service

CONTINUING CRACKDOWN ON COUNTERFEITERS

In the latest round of crackdowns on the sale of counterfeit goods over the Christmas period, West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, in a joint initiative with West Yorkshire Police, raided Otley Car Boot Sale on Sunday, after receiving complaints from West Yorkshire consumers about illegal activities taking place there.

Officers found stalls selling counterfeit music CDs, Playstation games, DVDs and Video CDs of the latest new release films, still at the cinema, including Harry Potter and Shrek.  Over 1300 items, with a street value of over £30,000, were seized and traders given formal warnings.

West Yorkshire’s Chief Trading Standards Officer, Martin Wood said “The message we are sending out to traders in counterfeit goods is very clear.  We will not tolerate the sale of illegal counterfeit goods and warn anyone thinking of beginning or continuing with such activities that the maximum sentence for such crimes is 10 years imprisonment.”

Councillor Graham Clarke, Chair of West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee said

“At Christmas we are all on the look out for a bargain but buying cheap, counterfeit copies is not the answer.  There will be a few disappointed people on Christmas Day when they find their presents are poor quality and not value for money.    My officers will continue with their crackdown on illegal traders over the Christmas and New Year period to protect the consumers of West Yorkshire”

Community Safety Inspector Joe Napoli of West Yorkshire Police said of the operation “This is another example of Trading Standards and the Police working in partnership to combat crime and  protect our consumers.”

For further information contact

Graham Hebblethwaite  Divisional Manager/General Media Contact 0113 2898 218