Car boot sale fake goods targeted

Counterfeiting has links with organised crime, a trading standards officer said

Seven people have been arrested and a number of items seized in a crackdown on suspected counterfeit goods at a car boot sale in Nottingham.

Police and trading standards teams went to the event near the Hucknall bypass to check DVDs, computer games and CDs.

Officers said test purchases were made to check the quality and origin of items and the arrests followed this.

Counterfeit goods make money for criminals and cheat both customers and artists, police said.

Trading standards officer Natalie Hodgkinson said while shoppers might think they were getting a bargain, there is a hidden cost.

"It is a very serious problem, counterfeiting. It has proven links with organised crime, people trafficking, drug smuggling.

"And it also affects local trade and businesses by taking people away from their legitimate shops."