Officers from Public Protection Partnership visited a car boot sale in the Wokingham area on Sunday 11th August 2024 where they witnessed one trader selling counterfeit goods and another selling illegal vapes.
Officers seized approximately 480 counterfeit garments, using their powers under the Consumer Rights Act. The counterfeit clothes were from a number of well known brands and had a value of around £2,500.
The fashion industry employs many people across the design, manufacturing, and distribution sectors. If counterfeit products flood the market the demand for genuine items reduces and this can cause many job losses in the industry. Often the counterfeiters will pay poor wages and in turn use forced or child labour. The profits from counterfeiting sales have been linked to funding organised crime and drug trafficking.
The boot sale organisers clearly state with posters that all traders and stall holders must not sell counterfeit items. The seller ignored this advice and all his stock was seized. Further enquiries are ongoing.
In addition Officers also visited another trader at the same car boot sale who was found to have disposable vapes for sale which were illegal. The vapes exceeded the liquid size permitted by the Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2016 which permits only 2ml of nicotine containing liquid. This usually equates to around 600 puffs.
The regulations limit the tank capacity to ensure that electronic cigarettes and related products are used responsibly and that consumers are protected from excessive nicotine intake.
Some on sale were found to contain 18ml (7000 puffs and some contained 9000 puffs). These vapes were also seized from the store holder and enquiries are ongoing.
It is estimated that counterfeiting costs the UK economy around £9 billion every year.
Councillor Jordan Montgomery the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency said ‘it is important for shoppers and car boot organisers to remain vigilant. While fake products may seem harmless they are often sold on by organised criminal networks who also engage in human trafficking, drug smuggling and other serious crimes. These goods are often of inferior quality, but more importantly can be harmful to users themselves.
We will continue to work with the public, brand holders and event organisers to ensure that we stop these illegal business practices. The sale of these items is not only damaging to the brand owners but also to legitimate local businesses who are trading fairly.”
