Council crackdown on fake clothing at Walsall's Bescot Market
More than 1,100 items of counterfeit clothing have been seized during a multi-agency crackdown at Walsall's Bescot Market.
The intelligence-led operation, which saw police and trading standards officers working alongside representatives from clothing manufacturers, prompted one stall-holder to flee the market, leaving his vehicle and mobile phone at the scene.
Walsall Council said the goods seized - purporting to be made by Nike, Adidas and Ralph Lauren - would have generated sales of around £75,000 had they been genuine.
Councillor Garry Perry, the borough`s cabinet member for safer communities, said the production of counterfeit goods was often accompanied by far more serious criminal activity such as drug-dealing, money laundering, gang-related violence and weapons.
"By purchasing the counterfeit items, members of the public should be aware that their money may be funding all kinds of serious criminal behaviour," he said.
