A property is under investigation as Trading Standards officers seized fake goods during a recent operation.
Trading Standards conducted an operation recently, at a house in Hanley following information that counterfeit clothing was being sold from the property. A range of counterfeit apparel, sportswear, and fragrances were being offered for sale via a social media platform account.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council Trading Standards officers executed a warrant at the property with the assistance of Staffordshire Police and seized £5,000 street value of counterfeit items including coats, hoodies, tracksuits, trainers, boots, aftershave, and perfume. Preliminary investigations and a gathering of intelligence revealed that the confiscated items included a wide range of popular and well-known brands, raising concerns about the potential impact on both consumers and legitimate businesses operating online and in the area. A formal investigation is now underway.
Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement, and sustainability said:
“Dealing counterfeit goods harms the prosperity and growth in our city and affects consumers and undermines the hard work of legitimate businesses. This action sends a clear message to those who engage in illegal trading that this will not be tolerated.
“The city council’s diligent efforts to maintain the integrity of local commerce and protect consumers from fraudulent goods will continue to ensure the protection of buyers from online marketplaces and on social media.”
As the investigation progresses, the city council reassures that measures are being taken to address this issue and encourages anyone with information related to the production or distribution of counterfeit goods to come forward.
Anyone who wants to report the sale of illegal goods in the city can report it to the trading standards team on 0808 223 1133, visit www.adviceguide.org.uk or call our Trading Standards hotline on 01782 238884.
-Ends-
- More articles in the news archive
- Stoke-on-Trent news RSS feed