A joint operation in July between Merton Trading Standards and Merton Police resulted in the seizure of over £10,000 worth of counterfeit goods from a shop in Morden.

During the operation, a large number of fake designer handbags, wallets, jewellery and other accessories were seized from the trader. The goods are replicas of renowned brands such as, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada.

Merton Trading Standards and Merton Police are advising consumers to resist the temptation of buying goods of this nature. The quality can be poor and you are often left in the lurch if you do encounter a problem.

You should always consider these three things:

Person – Who are you buying it from?
Place – Legitimate traders don’t sell goods outside the pub
Price – If it seems too good to be true, it probably is

Ian Murrell, Commercial and Trading Standards Manager said:

“Intellectual property crime cheats consumers, creates job losses and helps fund organised crime. Piracy and counterfeiting, which can include DVDs, perfumes, clothing and alcohol costs the United Kingdom billions of pounds and undermines the success of our indigenous retailers.

“Buying goods from disreputable traders deprives you of your rights and some items can be dangerous. If you suspect a trader is selling counterfeit goods, please contact Merton Trading Standards on 020 8545 4018.”