Some 180-plus counterfeit items and 29 phone chargers suspected of breaching safety regulations were seized in a Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards operation, at a recent Sunday Thoresby Market. Some 147 counterfeit branded razor blades and 37 pouches of counterfeit branded tobacco pouches were seized from one trader, who has now been banned from the market.
Trading Standards officers were supported by Nottinghamshire Police during the raid at market.
The Council and Thoresby Market organisers report that they are working together to crack down on counterfeit and illegal products for sale at the weekly market as part of the national ‘Real Deal’ charter, which aims to make markets a safer and fairer place to buy goods.
Organisers have signed a code of conduct, which includes keeping records of all traders’ vehicles, making traders aware of their no counterfeit goods policy and informing the Council if they suspect there are traders selling illicit goods at the market.
Counterfeit tobacco can be unsafe and potentially even more harmful than the genuine item and fake razorblades are often made of low quality stainless steel which can be prone to breaking, chipping or be misaligned so increasing the risk of cutting the user.
There is a risk of fire or electrical shocks if phone chargers do not meet safety regulations.
Councillor Mick Murphy, Chairman of the Council’s Community Safety Committee said: “This recent raid has sent out a clear message to traders of illegal goods that we will not stand for such products being sold at Thoresby Market or any other market in the county.
“Counterfeit goods can often be dangerous to use, have an impact on the economy in lost sales for legitimate traders and give genuine products a bad name.
“Illegal traders are a minority at Thoresby Market and we are pleased to work with its organisers to crackdown on their presence at this well attended weekly event.”
Ian Hill from Market Place Europe, which organises the market on behalf of the Thoresby Estates, said: “We are delighted to be working with the County Council’s Trading Standards team on the Real Deal scheme as it is important that our customers get the genuine article when they shop at our market.”
To report someone selling counterfeit goods call the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
