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Posted by Editor on 26th November 2011 at 12:01 AM
Counterfeit raids - Salford and Manchester
Greater Manchester Police are targeting the counterfeit trade in Salford and Manchester as they aim to strike a blow during the run up to Christmas.

Warrants are being executed at a number of addresses across the county today, Friday 25 November 2011, in order to arrest those suspected of dealing in fake CDs, DVDs, computer games, clothes, toiletries and jewellery.

Intelligence gathered by police, Trading Standards officers from Salford and Manchester, Department for Work and Pensions, BPI (The British Recorded Music Industry) and FACT (Federation Against Copyright) shows that suspects are selling dodgy goods at three markets: Salford Market, Greymare Lane Market and Conran Street Market, Manchester.

Project Gulf was launched 19 months ago to combat organised crime in Salford. It involves the police, the council, the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and a wide variety of other agencies working together to investigate individuals believed to be involved in organised crime.

Detective Inspector Caroline Walker from Salford CID said: "The vast majority of market traders are honest and work very hard to make a living, however, there is a small minority who make their money illegally by selling counterfeit goods. It is not only important we target these offenders and arrest them but also ensure the reputation of those who ply their trade at the locations stay intact.

"These raids are just one part of an ongoing operation to target those who make their living out of crime and strike fear in the heart of the communities they live in. My message to those living on the wrong side of the law is simple. You may think you are getting away with it but we will catch you and we will bring you to justice."

Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for Community Safety at Salford City Council, said: "As well as potentially funding organised crime, counterfeit goods are also often of poor quality and in some cases dangerous. The people who sell these goods take business away from law abiding traders so it is essential this activity is stopped. Yet again, this shows what great results can be achieves when the council and police work together to tackle organised crime."

Councillor Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council's executive member for the environment, said: "This operation will strike at the heart of those who run illegal operations selling poor quality counterfeit products, undermining Manchester's many legitimate traders. People who are unfortunate enough to part with hard-earned cash for these counterfeit items have no way of getting it back if - and when - something goes wrong with them."

BPI Director of Anti-Piracy, David Wood, representing the recorded music sector, said: “Physical music piracy costs the record business more than £100million per year ⿿ a significant percentage of industry revenue. Buying and selling these fake CDs and DVDs strips artists of a fair reward for their music and deprives record companies ⿿ both big and small - of the capital required to invest in exciting new artists, merchandise and products that music fans deserve.

“We would like to thank Greater Manchester Police, Manchester City Council, and Salford Council for their professionalism and diligence in undertaking this collaborated approach to target the organised crime gangs who are manufacturing and distributing counterfeit CDs and DVD.”

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, added: ⿿FACT and the BPI have been working for some time to gather detailed intelligence on the major organised criminal elements controlling the sale of counterfeit film, TV and music discs on markets across Greater Manchester.

“Traders in counterfeit goods are harming the livelihoods of legitimate traders and businesses and impacting on livelihoods of the hard working people who work in the UK⿿s creative industries.”

Susie Winter, Director General of the Alliance Against IP Theft, said: ⿿Markets and car boot sales across the country are plagued with fake goods. The criminals pay no tax, place the public in harms way by selling potentially harmful goods, cause legitimate trades to go out of business, and are often taking part in other criminal activity as well. This is why the Alliance Against IP Theft is delighted to be part of the Real Deal campaign, a cross-stakeholder initiative funded by industry which has brought together rights holders, trading standards, local authorities and market operators to tackle the huge problem of counterfeit and pirated products being sold at markets and car boot sales.”

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