Child Care Solicitors

Ealing Council in west London has seized thousands of potentially dangerous and counterfeit items – including hoverboards, toys and cosmetics – in a joint operation with the police.

On Wednesday 6 January, Ealing Council Trading Standards officers and the police joined forces to carry out the operation in a dawn raid on a shipping container yard off Bridge Road in Southall.

More than 47,000 counterfeit and potentially unsafe goods destined for traders in Ealing and across the rest of the UK and Europe were seized from 53 shipping containers opened at the yard.

The haul also included illegal cigarettes and tobacco, counterfeit mobile phone accessories, counterfeit Apple and Premiership football club merchandise, designer branded watches and replacement batteries – as well as counterfeit and potentially unsafe Disney and Angry Birds toys.

The operation was part of the Better Business Compliance Partnership (BBCP) – a national initiative led by the government’s Public Services Transformation Network.

As a member of the partnership, Ealing Council is working with officers from other local and government agencies to crack down on businesses across the borough which may be breaking the law.

Issues the partnership is tackling include selling dangerous goods, tax evasion, employing illegal workers and paying workers less than the statutory minimum wage.

Samples of the suspected counterfeit goods will now be taken away for testing – and officers will examine documentation for the self-balancing scooters, commonly known as hoverboards.

Ealing Council’s Cabinet Member for safety, culture and community services, Councillor Ranjit Dheer, said:

“We are determined to protect our residents by stopping dangerous goods reaching the market.

“When we do find unscrupulous businesses we will take action – working with other agencies means we can share intelligence and make the best use of our expertise.”

Police Inspector Graham Dunn from Ealing Borough added:

“The Better Business Compliance initiative has provided many opportunities to reduce crime, improve community safety and stop illegal activity.

“Ealing police are committed to continue working with partners to drive down crime, share intelligence and tackle these issues effectively.

“This particular operation has demonstrated the excellent results which can be achieved where partners work together and pool expertise.”

Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers

Duncan Lewis can advise at any stage of a charge involving public protection offences, including charges relating to:

• Copyright infringement
• Counterfeit goods
• Customs and Excise duty avoidance
• Defective produce
• Faulty goods
• Food hygiene breaches
• Illegal alcohol
• Illegal tobacco
• Illegal workers and modern slavery
• Mislabelling
• VAT avoidance
• Weights and measures offences.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and Duncan Lewis can attend interviews with investigating authorities, as well as advising on dawn raids and seizure of goods or computer equipment.

For expert legal advice on public protection offences and counterfeit goods, call Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.