Crackdown nets £3m in fake goods

The unreleased film Shrek 2 was seized in an earlier operation

Counterfeit compact discs and DVDs worth more than £3m have been recovered following a crackdown on bootleg goods.

Computer crime unit officers seized the computer software - including music CDs, the latest movie DVDs and MP3s -during raids on a number of properties across Central Scotland.

The haul included £250,000 worth of goods recovered on Friday from a house in the Falkirk Council area.

The searches were carried out in conjunction with Trading Standards.

The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) was involved in the operation, which was led by officers from Central Scotland Police.

BPI spokesman Pat Ferguson said: "We are delighted at the success police have had in recent months and we will continue to give our support to the computer crime unit in any way we can.

"The success of this operation highlights what can be achieved when members of our organisation work in tandem with the police."

Massive haul

The success of the operation was revealed just a day after police in Glasgow recovered bootleg DVDs and CDs estimated to be worth £5m.

In one of Scotland's biggest hauls, titles including The Day After Tomorrow, Shrek 2 and Around the World in 80 Days - which is not released until 9 July in the UK - were seized after raids on three premises.

Officers from Strathclyde Police, the Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact), Trading Standards, the procurator fiscal and the British Phonographic Industry took part in that operation.

A city centre shop, and a factory and house in the east end of Glasgow - all part of the same illegal outfit - were targeted in the swoop.

It is estimated that the UK industry lost more than £9bn to intellectual property theft in 2002, not including online copyright trademark infringements.

Experts believe about three in every 10 videos bought in the UK is an illegal copy.