Counterfeit goods seized at village market

A raid on a popular village market led to the confiscation of numerous fake products on sale to the public.

Counterfeit tracksuits, trainers, perfume and jewellery were seized from the Errol Sunday Market on August 18 by PKC Trading Standards officers in alliance with Police Scotland’s Tayside division.

Trading Standards claim that if goods were authentic they could have fetched for more than £7000.

A female stall holder was suspected of selling the counterfeit goods which were seized at the scene.

Keith Payne, Errol Sunday Market manager, said the organisation was happy to help with the operation.

He said:“We have a good working relationship with Trading Standards and we signed up with Perth and Kinross Council to the Real Deal [in 2015], which is a UK-wide initiative to ensure that all traders don’t sell counterfeit goods or contraband like cigarettes and alcohol.

“Anyone caught selling contraband or counterfeit goods are then banned from the market in the future.”

Carse of Gowrie ward councillor, Alasdair Bailey, said:“It is important that we can all shop with confidence in Perth and Kinross so I welcome this proactive action taken by Police Scotland and Trading Standards officers of the council.

“Products sold in this country rightly have to adhere to strict safety rules for the protection of us, their users.

“Nobody wants to spend good money on something that hasn’t been safety tested or it turns out hasn’t had the relevant duties/taxes paid on it.”

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said:“Trading Standards officers carried out a routine visit to Errol Sunday Market on August 18. A number of items, believed to be counterfeit, were seized including tracksuits, trainers, perfume and jewellery.

“Trading Standards is currently making enquiries about the items seized with the brand holders.

“Once these enquiries are complete, a report will be sent to the procurator.”