Counterfeit goods seized in Mid Wales get a new life
Counterfeit goods seized by trading standards officers across Mid Wales are to have a new, charitable life.
Clothing, CDs, boots, sunglasses and other goods confiscated by officers would have commanded a retail value of more than £20,000.
Instead of being destroyed they have been handed over to His Church, a Bedfordshire-based charity which removes logos from fake or illegal designer clothing and re-brands them with a genuine His Church label allowing them to be handed over legally to people in need.
Councillor James Evans, Cabinet Member for Trading Standards, said: “Traders of fake merchandise make money out of someone else’s work and getting these goods off the streets of Powys is an important role of our Trading Standards Service.
“By teaming up with His Church, not only are we protecting consumers, but we are also helping others make use of the items seized.”
Clive Jones, the council’s Professional Lead for Trading Standards, Community Safety and Emergency Planning, said: “While it is great to see that worthy causes will benefit from this handover, we have to remind people that counterfeiting is not the victimless crime that some of them may think.
“The proceeds from fake goods often go to organised criminals who are involved in other crime in our communities and also this has a direct effect on our local and legitimate traders who end up unfairly competing with counterfeiters, with the potential knock on threat of losing jobs because of this activity.
“We would encourage residents and businesses to provide information to our service about suspect activities in their communities to stop and prevent these crimes."
Richard Humphrey from His Church said: “We are delighted to act in partnership with the council’s Trading Standards Service in turning counterfeit products into real aid for those who need it most.”
