Guidance

Trading Standards survey 2024 to 2025

Published 10 June 2025

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) conducted its annual survey of Trading Standards Officers’ work on intellectual property (IP) crime for the period April 2024 to March 2025. With 70% of local authorities (132 out of 189) responding to the survey, we continue to see strong engagement that allows us to build a comprehensive picture of IP enforcement activity across the UK.

The survey which ran from 1 April 2025 to 9 May 2025, provides insights into the scale and scope of IP crime from the perspective of those working on the frontline.  This report presents the key findings from the survey alongside case studies that demonstrates the impact of Trading Standards work in protecting consumers, supporting legitimate businesses, and disrupting criminal networks.

The IPO continues to provide support for Trading Standards Officers to tackle IP crime in different ways:

IP Coordinators

Embedded in regional Trading Standards areas they raise awareness of IP crime and infringement while providing direct support to officers with investigations and projects in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  These specialists help bridge the gaps between local and national enforcement activities supporting brands and law enforcement agencies on IP matters.

Tick Box Scheme

The Tick Box Scheme, helps Trading Standards Officers work closely with self storage businesses to raise standards and tackle IP criminality in their facilities. Since its inception in 2020, the scheme has supported numerous enforcement activities leading to the seizure of millions of pounds worth of counterfeit and illicit goods.

Training

The IPO has been supporting intellectual property training for Trading Standards Officers for more than a decade. In partnership with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) they provide 12 courses each year. These courses are complimented by the CTSI Professional Competency in Intellectual Property, which enables officers to:

• differentiate between the aspects of intellectual property
• advise on civil aspects of IP ownership and infringement
• appreciate the various methods of protecting IP
• investigate alleged criminal offences

Highlights

Most investigated sectors

Clothing and tobacco products remain at the top of the list for IP crime investigations, consistent with trends seen in previous years.  However, there has been a notable increase in cases involving counterfeit vape products, reflecting their growing popularity in the market. Other significant areas of focus include: perfume, footwear, electricals and watches/jewellery, with an increase in the number of investigations relating to toys and perfume.

Location

Physical premises continue to be the most investigated, with a growing number of cases on social media platforms.

Links to other crimes

The survey confirms that IP crime is rarely isolated. Trading Standards Officers observed strong connections between counterfeit goods and various other criminal activities, with organised crime groups being the most common link, followed by money laundering, modern day slavery, drug dealing and benefit fraud.

Collaboration

Multi-agencies collaboration remains a strong feature on the fight against IP criminality. Trading Standards Officers reported increased collaboration with both public sector bodies and industry partners during 2024-25.

Chart 1. Question: What type of counterfeit/pirated and design infringing goods have you investigated for this fiscal year?

This is a multiple select question based on responses from the 132 Trading Standards departments completing the survey, and each type of good is shown as a proportion to those goods investigated. From this, the top 10 types of good investigated are presented.

Top 10 products investigated by Trading Standards

Goods	Percentages 2024/25
Cigarettes/Tobacco	85%
Clothing	67%
Footwear	37%
Electronic Vaping	36%
Perfume	35%
Electrical Goods	25%
Alcohol	24%
Watches/Jewellery	24%
Toys	21%
Cosmetics/Make-up	20%

Chart 2. Question: Where have you investigated counterfeit / pirated goods and design infringing since April 2024?

This is a multiple select question based on responses from the 132 Trading Standards departments completing the survey, and each type of location is shown as a proportion to those goods investigated. From this, the top 10 types of location investigated are presented.

Top 10 locations investigated by Trading Standards

Goods	Percentages 2024/25
Ordinary Shops	83%
Social Media	43%
Websites	29%
On the street	23%
Outdoor Markets	23%
Private Residences	21%
Online Auction Sites	18%
Car Boot Sales	17%
Factories and Industrial Units	14%
Self Storage Facilities	13%

Chart 3. Top investigated counterfeit/pirated and design infringing goods (2020/21 to 2024/25)

This is a multiple select question based on responses from Trading Standards departments completing the survey for the past five fiscal years. Each type of location is shown as a proportion to those goods investigated. From this, the top 10 types of location investigated are presented. Full breakdown for previous fiscal years can be found in previous reports at IP enforcement reports.

Top products investigated by Trading Standards

Goods	Percentages 2020/21	Percentages 2021/22	Percentages 2022/23	Percentages 2023/24	Percentages 2024/25
Cigarettes/Tobacco	75%	88%	81%	80%	85%
Clothing	64%	76%	66%	66%	67%
Footwear	37%	43%	32%	33%	37%
Electronic Vaping	3%	35%	44%	44%	36%
Perfume	23%	28%	25%	35%	35%
Electrical Goods	23%	27%	31%	27%	25%
Alcohol	35%	39%	26%	23%	24%
Watches, Jewellery	23%	25%	29%	27%	24%
Toys	11%	10%	11%	18%	21%
Cosmetics/Makeup	31%	28%	23%	16%	20%

Chart 4. Top five investigated locations for counterfeit/pirated and design infringing goods (2020/21 to 2024/25)

This is a multiple select question based on responses from Trading Standards departments completing the survey for the past five fiscal years. Each location is shown as a proportion to those goods investigated. From this, the top five types of locations investigated are presented. Full breakdown for previous fiscal years can be found in previous reports at IP enforcement reports.

Most investigated locations

Locations	Percentages 2020/21	Percentages 2021/22	Percentages 2022/23	Percentages 2023/24	Percentages 2024/25
Ordinary Shops	68%	82%	83%	81%	83%
Social Media	53%	50%	44%	49%	43%
Websites	34%	37%	33%	29%	29%
On the street	16%	15%	15%	24%	23%
Outdoor Markets	10%	22%	21%	22%	23%

Chart 5.  Top five links between people committing IP crimes and other types of criminality/dishonesty observed during investigations (2020/21 to 2024/25)

This is a multiple select question based on responses from Trading Standards departments completing the survey for the past five fiscal years. Each category of criminality/dishonesty is shown as a proportion to those goods investigated. From this, the top five types of criminality/dishonesty are presented. Full breakdown for previous fiscal years can be found in previous reports at IP enforcement reports.

Links to other criminality

Criminality	Percentages 2020/21	Percentages 2021/22	Percentages 2022/23	Percentages 2023/24	Percentages 2024/25
Organised Criminal Groups	32%	40%	34%	42%	48%
Money Laundering	23%	25%	27%	25%	36%
People Trafficking/Modern day slavery	11%	14%	15%	17%	26%
Drug Dealing	16%	17%	18%	18%	24%
Benefit Fraud	19%	23%	17%	16%	22%

Chart 6. Top five public sector bodies engaged over the past five fiscal years.

This is a multiple select question based on responses from Trading Standards departments completing the survey for the past five fiscal years. From this, the top 5 public sector bodies are presented. Full breakdown for previous fiscal years can be found in previous reports at IP enforcement reports.

Working with other public sector partners

Organisations	Percentages 2020/21	Percentages 2021/22	Percentages 2022/23	Percentages 2023/24	Percentages 2024/25
Police	68%	75%	65%	75%	83%
Other Trading Standards Authorities	66%	70%	64%	68%	78%
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs	47%	52%	43%	53%	57%
IPO Intelligence Hub	33%	34%	43%	35%	51%
Companies House (CH)	30%	43%	38%	46%	45%

Chart 7. Top five industry bodies engaged over the past five fiscal years.

This is a multiple select question based on responses from Trading Standards departments completing the survey for the past five fiscal years. The top five industry bodies are presented. Full breakdown for previous fiscal years can be found in previous reports at IP enforcement reports.

Working with industry partners

Industry partners	Percentages 2020/21	Percentages 2021/22	Percentages 2022/23	Percentages 2023/24	Percentages 2024/25
Anti Counterfeiting Group	63%	64%	62%	84%	66%
REACT	30%	35%	38%	45%	43%
Other	19%	25%	19%	25%	26%
FACT	15%	15%	16%	22%	21%
International Federation of Spirits Producers	6%	8%	8%	14%	8%

Trading Standards Successes

The report showcases a snapshot of the exemplary work carried out by Trading Standards, other law enforcement agencies and brands representatives to tackle intellectual property (IP) crime. The cases also shown the vital role played by members of the public in reporting suspicious activities and how highly skilled detection dogs are going beyond what the eyes can see to find illicit goods.

Trading Standards officers employ diverse tactics to protect consumers and legitimate business from IP violations that often connect to wider criminal networks. Their investigations validate survey findings about commonly targeted goods, distribution channels, and the effectiveness of collaborative enforcement.

Working closely with other law enforcement agencies and industry, Trading Standards Officers are vital in effectively dismantling IP crime networks. They use the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover hundreds of thousands of pounds from the IP crimes committed. Their efforts not only penalise offenders but show a commitment to upholding IP laws, helping to protect public safety, the economy and fair business dealing.

Specialist detection dogs: are playing a vital role in the fight against criminals. Despite using sophisticated ways of hiding illicit goods, criminals are no match for these highly intelligent and well-trained masters. Examples of their abilities in sniffing out illicit goods from the most obscured places include seizures in Barnet, Aberdeen, East Renfrewshire, Highland, Lincolnshire, Newham, Preston, Thurrock, Walsall and Weston-super-Mare.

Public vigilance: in reporting has led to major success with notable cases in Bolton, Cannock and Hednesford, Newcastle and Rotherham resulting in multi million pound seizures of counterfeit goods.  This public partnership remains essential, as many illicit operations would otherwise continue undetected.  

Financial disruption: Trading Standards are not just seizing and prosecuting criminals, they are also going after the proceeds of crime recovering illegal profits for public benefit. Examples include cases in Bradford, Berkshire and Ceredigion.

This coordinated approach demonstrates Trading Standards’ commitment to upholding intellectual property laws while simultaneously protecting public safety, supporting the economy, and ensuring fair business practice.

Enforcement carried out by Trading Standards and other law enforcement agencies across the United Kingdom

Councils A to C

1. Aberdeen

March 2025: Illegal tobacco and cigarettes seized in Aberdeen

Image: Illicit cigarettes seized by Aberdeen City Council

Trading Standards Officers supported by Police Scotland and two specially-trained dogs - Boo and Rosie have seized 225 packs of illegal cigarettes, 30 packs of counterfeit hand rolling tobacco, and 29 illegal vapes hidden in secret cupboards.

Graeme Paton, Aberdeen City Council Trading Standards manager, said: “Retailers involved in the trade in illegal tobacco are very sneaky at hiding their stocks however they should be aware we are aware of their tricks - Boo and Rosie are specially trained to find tobacco products and their assistance is invaluable to enable us to find tobacco products that would not be visible during an inspection.

More information available at: Illegal tobacco and cigarettes seized in Aberdeen - Aberdeen City Council

2. Anglesey, Isle of

The Isle of Anglesey Trading Standards working jointly with UK Border Force (UKBF) have intercepted thousands of illicit vapes being transported through the Port

Nearly 70,000 illicit vapes valued in excess of £900k were seized and destroyed from entering the UK through the isle’s ports in 2024. In 2023 and 2024 combined, over 410,000 illicit vapes have been detained and prevented from entering the UK market, with a value in excess of £4m.

3. Barnet

October 2024: Counterfeit clothing and Illicit tobacco products worth over £60,000

Image: Illicit cigarettes seized by Barnet London Borough Council

Using sniffer dogs, Trading standards Officers from Barnet Council confiscated thousands of illicit goods concealed in hideaways within shops. The operation targeted products that failed to comply with UK regulations, including duty-evaded, foreign-labelled and counterfeit goods. These are sold at a significantly reduced rate, making them more attractive to children and adults.

Sniffer dogs played an important role in this enforcement activity, as shop owners who sell illegal products often hide them in secretive places such as under floorboards, behind walls and in loft spaces.

More information available at: Illicit tobacco products worth an estimated £61,000 seized - Barnet Trading Standards

4. Berkshire

October 2024: Berkshire wholesaler fined over a quarter of million pounds for selling fake clothing

Following the seizure in 2021 of 10 pallets of counterfeiting clothes from a self storage facility in the Berkshire area belonging to R’Ellite Rainments Ltd, West Berkshire Council successfully prosecuted the company and its director. In October 2024, Confiscation Orders were given to the company and its director amounting to nearly £270,000.

More information available at: Berkshire company fined for selling fake designer items - Reading Chronicle

5. Bolton

September 2024: £2 million pounds worth of fake goods seized from Farnworth shop

Image: Room of boxes and bags of fake clothes seized by Bolton Council

Following information received from members of the public, Bolton Trading Standards and Greater Manchester Police seized counterfeit goods with a combined street value of £2 million pounds from premises on Market Street, Farnworth. The illegal products seized include fake designer clothes, watches, trainers, perfumes, cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes.

More information available at: £2 million pounds worth of fake goods seized from Farnworth shop - Bolton Council

6. Bradford

May 2024: Counterfeiter ordered to pay back £118,000 for selling counterfeit clothing on social media

Image: Counterfeit Arsenal Football shirt seized by West Yorkshire Joint Services

In May 2024, a confiscation order was made for £118,235.00 against Mr Sajid Hussain following a previous conviction in 2022 for selling counterfeit clothing using social media pages. The benefit from the offence was agreed as nearly £333,000.

More information available at: Counterfeiter ordered to pay back £118,000 - West Yorkshire Joint Services

7. Camden

Since 2023 raids have taken place on Camden High Street to tackle criminals selling counterfeit and illicit goods. Officers visited nearly 60 premises in this period with approximately £45million worth of counterfeit goods removed from retail and wholesale supply.

July 2024: Six arrested and £5 million of counterfeit goods seized from shop basement during Camden raid

Image: Counterfeit bags, purses and clothes seized City of London Police

The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police Service’s Camden Town Centre team executed a raid on 17 July amid an ongoing crackdown on the counterfeit goods trade in the area.

Counterfeit clothing, shoes, bags and watches worth an estimated loss to the industry of £5 million have been seized from a shop on Camden High Street, north London.

More information available at: Six arrested and £5 million of counterfeit goods seized from shop basement during Camden raid - City of London Police

December 2024: Police seize £2 million of counterfeit goods in Christmas crackdown in Camden High Street

Images: Counterfeit clothes and watches seized by City of London Police

The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police, supported by other enforcement agencies and brand representatives executed three search warrants in and around Camden High Street ahead of Christmas. A large quantity of counterfeit clothing, bags, trainers and watches were seized.

More information available at: Police seize £2 million of counterfeit goods in Christmas crackdown - City of London Police

February 2025: Over 5500 fake goods worth £4.5million seized in joint Camden operation

Image: Counterfeit watches seized by Camden Council

Camden Council, in partnership with other law enforcement agencies and brand representatives raided several premises in Camden Town suspected of storing counterfeit goods. Over 5,000 counterfeit items from eight premises located on Camden High Street, including fake luxury clothing and watches, with an estimated value of £4.5million were seized.

More information available at: Over 5500 fake goods worth £4.5million seized in joint Camden operation

8. Cannock and Hednesford

March 2025: Illegal cigarettes and vapes worth over £15,000 seized from three shops in Cannock

Following reports from members of the public, Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards service seized illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes from three shops in Cannock and Hednesford.

Highly skilled dogs detected items hidden behind a storage heater and a concealment built within a table. Since 2021, Staffordshire Trading Standards seized around £1.3 million worth of illegal cigarettes, vapes and hand rolling tobacco from the Staffordshire area.

More information available at: Illegal cigarettes and vapes seized in Cannock - Staffordshire County Council Newsroom

9. Ceredigion

April 2024: Ceredigion couple face fines and forfeiture order for selling counterfeit clothing

A Ceredigion couple who sold counterfeit clothing, footwear, and fragrances on local online marketplaces on social media have been fined by Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court after an investigation by Ceredigion County Council’s Trading Standards Officers.

The couple were charged with jointly possessing counterfeit goods worth over £8,000 if genuine. The Magistrates also heard that some of the clothing was for children and did not meet British safety standards due to the drawstring cords posing a choking hazard.

More information available at: Ceredigion couple face fines and forfeiture order for counterfeit clothing - Ceredigion County Council

November 2024: Sentence for Ceredigion resident for producing and selling counterfeit DVDs

David Thomas from Ceredigion has been sentenced to twenty months in prison suspended for eighteen months after pleading guilty to charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994 of producing and selling counterfeit DVDs.

The Court heard how David Thomas, during the time of the offences, had been making and selling counterfeit DVDs under the brand names belonging to Netflix, Amazon Technologies, Disney Enterprises, Sony, and Universal City Studios LLC without the consent of the companies in question for several years. Setting up seven separate websites, he used a number of bank and PayPal accounts including those of his family members and had created for himself a sophisticated online home business producing and selling counterfeit DVDs. 

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 confiscation and forfeiture proceedings against Mr Thomas have commenced to recover the financial benefit that Mr Thomas has obtained from his criminal activity.

More information available at: Sentence for Ceredigion resident for producing and selling counterfeit DVD’s - Ceredigion County Council

10. Cornwall

February 2025: Illegal tobacco seller sentenced after £25,000 worth of counterfeit products seized

Image: Illicit tobacco seized by Cornwall Council

In February 2025 Benjamin Rory Griffiths, from Hayle, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court having previously pleaded guilty to possessing counterfeit tobacco following a raid by Devon and Cornwall Police in October 2023. Nearly 600 pouches of illegal hand rolling tobacco were seized.

More information available at: Illegal tobacco seller sentenced after £25,000 of counterfeit products seized - Cornwall Council

11. Coventry

January 2025: Birmingham counterfeiter sentenced to four and half years in prison

Following an extensive investigation by the National Trading Standards Regional Investigations Team (West Midland) a sophisticated counterfeiting operation was shut down, resulting in a substantial prison sentence.   

The operation, uncovered through seizures in 2019-20 involved large quantities of counterfeit clothing, perfume, cosmetics, accessories and electrical goods from multiple locations including a storage unit in Digbeth and van transporting goods from Coventry to a Warwickshire market. Particularly concerning was the discovery of manufacturing equipment and trade mark labels designed to convert generic items into fake branded goods, highlighting the professional nature of this criminal enterprise.

More information available at: Birmingham counterfeiter sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison - National Trading Standards

Councils D to G

12. Darlington

October 2024: Closure orders on two stores for selling illegal vapes

Darlington Borough Council successfully secured premises closure orders against Ali’s Shop on Whitby Way, and the Corner Shop on High Northgate, at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court after extensive investigations revealed the sale of illegal vapes and cigarettes, including under-age sales.

During the inspections, Trading Standards Officers seized a range of illegal products including counterfeit tobacco and over-strength vapes, which could pose serious health risks to consumers.

More information available at: Closure orders on two stores for selling illegal vapes - Darlington Borough Council

13. Dorchester

February 2025: Male arrested after tens of thousands of pounds worth of suspected high quality counterfeit goods and cash was seized in a private address

Following reports from local residents, tens of thousands of pounds of allegedly counterfeit goods were discovered after police officers and officers from Dorset Trading Standards searched a property in the town. One male was arrested in relation to suspected offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994.

More information available at: One male was arrested in relation to suspected offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the address was searched - Dorchester Police Facebook

14. Dover

July 2024: Fake Chanel on the high street leads to a conviction

Image: Fake Chanel accessories seized by Kent County Council

Despite receiving an early warning in 2022, a Dover shop owner continued to trade in counterfeit goods. In July 2024, Ramesh Lal Bansal appeared before Medway Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to 17 Trade Marks Act 1994. The court imposed a 26-week suspended sentence and ordered him to pay £10,000 costs plus a £154 surcharge, which is used to fund victim services through the Victim and Witness General Fund.

More information available at: Fake Chanel on the high street leads to a conviction - Kent County Council

15. East Renfrewshire

August 2024: Tobacco detection dogs sniff out illicit cigarettes and tobacco in East Renfrewshire

Image: Illicit tobacco with specially trained dog and East Renfrewshire Council

4,400 illegal cigarettes and 6.5kg of hand rolling tobacco with a retail value of approximately £8,000 were seized from two shops in East Renfrewshire under suspicion of being counterfeit. Specially trained tobacco detection dogs, Rosie and Boo, helped Trading Standard and Police Scotland Officers to find the illicit tobacco when they visited premises across the Council area.

More information available at: Tobacco detection dogs sniff out illicit cigarettes and tobacco in East Renfrewshire

16. Erdington

January 2025: Thousands of vapes and counterfeit cigarettes seized in Erdington

Image: Illicit vapes and cigarettes seized by West Midlands Police

Thousands of illegal vapes, counterfeit cigarettes and unlicensed drugs have been seized in a £1m raid by police and Trading Standards Officers on Erdington High Street. In one of the biggest seizures of its kind in the city, a total of 7,545 vapes, 134kg of tobacco and 329,740 cigarettes alongside 300 boxes of imported prescription drugs – which have not been cleared for use in the UK - were recovered, along with £1,000 cash.

More information available at: Thousands of vapes and counterfeit cigarettes seized in Erdington - West Midlands Police

17. Evesham

November 2024: Illegal cigarettes and tobacco with an estimated street value of £145,000 were seized from a mini market in Evesham

Image: Illegal tobacco and cigarettes seized by West Mercia Police

A large haul of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco were hidden in an upstairs storeroom at Evesham Grocers Limited on Port Street during an engagement visit.

Officers from Evesham Town Centre Team worked with partners at Worcestershire Trading Standards as they uncovered one of the biggest hauls of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco in recent years. A small quantity of illegal vapes were also seized.

The shop has now been identified for further investigations by Trading Standards Officers with a chance that licences could be withdrawn or a closure order.

More information available at: Illegal cigarettes and tobacco £142,000 haul seized in Evesham - West Mercia Police

18. Exmouth

September 2024: Thousands of pounds worth of Illicit tobacco seized in Exmouth

Image: Police and Devon County Council found and seized illegal tobacco

Devon Trading Standards Officers assisted by Police Officers seized illegal tobacco products and vapes worth more than £10,000 aided by detection dogs in two local stores.

Almost £150,000 worth of illegal tobacco products has been seized by Heart of the South West Trading Standards between January and September 2024.

More information available at: Thousands of pounds worth of Illicit tobacco seized in Exmouth - Devon County Council

19. Greater Manchester

October 2024: Operation Vulcan: Looking back on two years of Operation Vulcan – the Greater Manchester Police initiative that shut down counterfeit street

Image: Greater Manchester Police forcing entry

Operation Vulcan is the multi-agency operation which blitzed the infamous area of Cheetham Hill and Strangeways which had earned the unfortunate moniker of ‘counterfeit capital of Europe.’

Looking back, there’s been numerous record-breaking busts which launched Operation Vulcan onto the global stage, including one 580 tonne seizure which was believed to be one of the largest single seizures worldwide.

The statistics speak for themselves, and thanks to relentless disruption and commitment by police and dedicated partner agencies, the results are indisputable. Operation Vulcan has successfully dismantled and disrupted the once entrenched network of organised crime groups operating in the area.

More information available at: Looking back on two years of Operation Vulcan – the Greater Manchester Police initiative that shut down counterfeit street - Greater Manchester Police

Councils H to L

20. Hammersmith

October 2024: Hammersmith & Fulham Council shut a Hammersmith shop over counterfeit cigarettes and vapes

Image: Vape shop shut down for selling illegal vapes by Hammersmith & Fulham Council

Trading Standards officers seized 60,000 illegal cigarettes and oversized vapes at former Milan Market. False details had been given to the owner of the premises when the vape business leased the shop. Further investigations found that the retailer was part of a suspected organised crime group (OCG).

More information available at: Hammersmith & Fulham Council shut Hammersmith shop over counterfeit cigarettes and vapes

21. Herefordshire

August 2024: Cracking down on illegal tobacco

Image: Illicit cigarettes seized by Herefordshire Council

In August 2024, a Mini Market vape shop in Ross-on-Wye has been issued with a court order forcing it to close for a full three-month period, ending on 19 November 2024, after Herefordshire Council’s trading standards team discovered illegal tobacco products during a raid.

Magistrates commented that the issuing of the order was important to protect children of the Ross area, along with the prevention of further crimes.

More information available at: Cracking down on illegal tobacco - Herefordshire Council

22. Highland

February 2025: Trading Standards take action on illegal cigarettes

Image: Tobacco sniffer dogs Rosie (left) and Boo (right) outside Highland Council Trading Standards Office

After receiving numerous complaints from businesses and the public, Highland Council Trading Standards seized a significant quantity of illicit tobacco products (counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco) from a retailer in the Highlands.

Tobacco sniffer dogs Rosie and Boo were instrumental in locating these items, which are often hidden in sophisticated concealments.

More information available at: Trading Standards take action on illegal cigarettes - The Highland Council

23. Hillingdon

November 2024: Court sentences two for illicit tobacco operation in Hayes

Image: Hillingdon Council – illicit goods seized

Hillingdon Council successfully prosecuted two brothers involved in an illicit tobacco operation.

Following a search in 2021 and the assistance of tobacco detection dogs in a self storage facility in Hayes, £126,000 worth of illegal tobacco, including more than 225,000 cigarettes and 54kg of rolling tobacco were uncovered. Further inspection of the tobacco revealed that some of the products were counterfeit, while others were intended for markets outside the UK.

More information available at: Court sentences two for illicit tobacco operation in Hayes - Hillingdon Council

24. Hyndburn

October 2024: Hyndburn Police crackdown on illegal vapes and tobacco

Hyndburn Police and Trading Standards seized a large quantity of illegal goods from an empty commercial property in Oswaldtwistle.

It included approximately 100,000 packs of illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco, and hundreds of illegal non-regulation vapes. The total retail value of the confiscated items was approximately £1.65 million. Additionally, packaging used to manufacture counterfeit cigarettes was also confiscated.

More information available at: Lancashire Hyndburn Police crackdown on illegal vapes and tobacco

25. Kensington and Chelsea

November 2024: Nearly 2,000 fake Paddington Bear goods seized from Portobello Road and Earl’s Court Road

Kensington and Chelsea Council’s trading standards team seized over 1,500 counterfeit Paddington Bear items following a raid on world famous Portobello Road where scenes from the Paddington Bear movie were filmed. A further five shops in Earl’s Court were investigated with over 400 further fake goods seized with an estimated street value of £15,000.

More information available at: Nearly 2,000 fake Paddington Bear goods seized from Portobello Road and Earl’s Court Road - Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

26. Leeds

August 2024: Court orders forfeiture of nearly 2,300 counterfeit watches

Image: Counterfeit watches seized by City of London Police

A haul of 2,361 counterfeit watches seized by police during raids in Leeds in 2021 were forfeited following a contested forfeiture application hearing at Leeds Magistrates Court in July 2024.

More information available at: Court orders forfeiture of 2,300 counterfeit watches - City of London Police

27. Lincolnshire

February 2025: Op Nivada: One of the largest retail hauls ever

Image: Illicit cigarettes found by detection dog and Lincolnshire Police

More than 90,000 cigarettes, 300 vapes and 10kg of hand rolling tobacco have been seized from seven shops as part of a crackdown on illegal and illicit goods.

More information available at: Op Nivada: One of the largest retail hauls ever - Lincolnshire Police

Lincolnshire County Council highlights that more than 670,000 illicit cigarettes were removed from Lincolnshire’s streets in 2024, as the council steps up its war on rogue traders who put residents’ health at risk.

More information available at: 670,000 illegal cigarettes seized as county council’s crackdown on rogue traders intensifies – Lincolnshire County Council

28. Liverpool

December 2024: Council staff seize fake goods from St Johns

High-end clothing deals have turned out to be too good to be true at St John’s Precinct, as bags of counterfeit products are seized by Liverpool City Council.

Following a report from a member of the public, Liverpool Council’s Trading Standards team, working in partnership with Merseyside Police, removed hundreds of fake goods from five stores in St Johns. 280 counterfeit items of clothing being seized, included fake versions of White Fox, Prada and Diesel. Although the items were being sold at bargain prices, the haul would be worth approximately £25,000 if they were real.

In a previous operation, the team seized over 1,500 fake products, believed to be worth roughly £15,000. Items included fake Apple, Samsung and Sony items, which could have posed a serious safety risk to potential buyers.

More information available at: Council staff seize fake goods from St Johns - Liverpool Express

Councils M to O

29. Maidstone

March 2025: More than £40,000 of illegal tobacco seized from Maidstone store

Image: Concealed compartment behind Kitchen cupboard to store illicit goods found by Kent Police

Almost 20kg of illicit tobacco and around 40,000 illegal cigarettes funding organised crime have been seized for destruction from a shop in Maidstone.

The confiscated goods, which included boxes of illegal vaping products, have an estimated recommended retail price of £45,356. Products were hidden in places with sophisticated opening mechanisms.

More information available at: More than £40,000 of illegal tobacco seized from Maidstone store - Kent Police

30. Manchester

December 2024: 12,000 counterfeit items seized from a self storage facility in Manchester

Image: Counterfeit trainers and clothes found Manchester City Council

Manchester City Council Trading Standards, supported by GMP and various brand representatives, visited the self-storage facility following intelligence that counterfeit goods were being supplied from the units.

Trading Standards seized approximately 12,000 items, equivalent to 7.7 tonnes including designer clothing, footwear, perfume and watches. The loss to industry value is estimated to be around £6 million pounds. The seized items have since been granted forfeiture through the courts and will be destroyed or recycled and repurposed where possible.

June and November 2024: Nearly 6,000 counterfeit items seized from the same shop in a 6-month period with an estimated loss to industry of nearly £3 million

Image: Counterfeit shoes, clothes, bags and Jewellery seized by Manchester City Council

Manchester City Council’s Trading Standards team have demonstrated persistent enforcement action against illegal counterfeit operations, seizing nearly 6,000 fake items from a single Manchester shop across three planned raids.

Following an initial raid in January 2024 that recovered £160,000 worth of counterfeit goods, officers conducted strategic follow-up operations in June and November 2024. The subsequent visits yielded an additional 4,100 illegal items bringing the total seizure to 12,000.

The persistent illegal trading has caused an estimated £2.8million loss to industry. The investigation continues.

31. Middlesbrough

August 2024: Middlesbrough Trading Standards removed more than 700 counterfeit items from sale

The fake goods seized including trainers and items of clothing bearing brands such including Gucci, Chanel, Vivienne Westwood and Louis Vuitton with an estimated value of £270,000 if they were genuine, were seized from a Middlesborough retailer.

While Officers removed the haul, they were also alerted to an unconnected street seller offering counterfeit perfumes to passers-by outside the shop – his stock was also seized.

More information available at: Fake goods seized in Middlesbrough - Journal Of Trading Standards

32. Midlothian

December 2024: Midlothian Trading Standards seizes over 9,500 illicit cigarettes

The council’s Trading Standards team aided by Police Scotland and detection dog Boo seized 9,580 illegal cigarettes from a shop in Dalkeith following a complaint by a member of the public.

More information available at: Midlothian Trading Standards seizes over 9,500 illicit cigarettes - Midlothian Council

33. Newcastle

July 2024: Shop shut down after counterfeit cigarette crackdown

Image: Illicit vapes and cigarettes seized by Northumbria Police

A shop in Newcastle’s West End has been shut down after being linked to the sale of counterfeit cigarettes and illegal vapes. Acting on reports from members of the public about suspected criminal activities taking place in the premises, police officers carried out various visits to the shop with Trading Standards Officers - seizing £80,000 worth of counterfeit goods. Following a hearing at the North Tyneside Magistrates Court on 8 July, the shop was ordered to remain closed for the next three months.

More information available at: Shop shut down after counterfeit cigarette crackdown - Northumbria Police

34. Newham

June 2024: Newham Trading Standards seize over £70,000 in illegal tobacco and vapes as part of a national crack down

Image: Newham Council and the detection dog found concealed cigarettes and vapes

Officers seized 60,000 cigarettes, 100kg of shisha, 350g of hand-rolling tobacco, 5.5kg of chewing tobacco, 175 oversized vapes, and various other non-compliant or illegal products during a two-day operation. The haul was uncovered through a coordinated effort with officers inspecting retail premises across Newham based on direct intelligence and partnership collaboration.

During the operation, officers discovered five concealed storage areas filled with illegal goods, suggesting the involvement of organised crime gangs working within the borough.

More information available at: Newham Trading Standards seize over £70,000 in illegal tobacco and vapes as part of a national crack down – Newham Council

35. North East Lincolnshire

November 2024: Over £100,000 of illicit tobacco products seized during Stoptober

Image: Illegal vapes seized by North East Lincolnshire Council Trading Standards team

North East Lincolnshire Council Trading Standards team and partner organisations including Humberside Police uncovered 28,120 cigarettes, 12.45 kilos of tobacco and 3133 illegal disposable vapes in a number of shops during the four-week operation. The products have an estimated value of over £100,000.

More information available at: Over £100,000 of illicit tobacco products seized during Stoptober - North East Lincolnshire Council

36. Northern Ireland

Law enforcement in Northern Ireland seized approximately 1.3 million worth of counterfeit and illicit goods in three separate operations

October 2024: Counterfeit goods worth over £200,000 seized by Trading Standards Officers across Northern Ireland

Trading Standards Service (TSS) seized a substantial quantity of counterfeit goods following two days of targeted inspections across Northern Ireland. Items seized included branded clothing, trainers, handbags, mobile phone covers, chargers, headphones and ear pods. The operation followed intelligence from brand owners and complaints from consumers who had bought what they believed to be genuine branded clothing.

More information available at: Counterfeit goods worth over £200K seized by Trading Standards Officers across Northern Ireland

July 2024: Counterfeit designer clothing and trainers representing over £500k brand loss seized in Dungiven

Image: Counterfeit watches seized by Police Service in Northern Ireland

Detectives of the Police Service of Northern Ireland have arrested a 28-year-old man following a search in Dungiven uncovering counterfeit clothing, trainers, watches and handbags representing a potential brand loss of over £500,000 to brand owners.

More information available at: Counterfeit designer clothing and trainers representing over £500k brand loss seized in Dungiven - Police Service Northern Ireland

March 2024: Counterfeit electronic products worth £600,000 seized during searches in Belfast and Portadown

Image: Counterfeit mobiles, smartwatches and other electronic devices seized by Police Service in Northern Ireland

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Branch seized a significant amount of counterfeit Apple and other electronic branded products during searches. Over 20,000 items including AirPods, Apple chargers, iPhones, smartwatches, mobile phones, phone cases, cables and vapes were seized during a search of two premises in Belfast and Portadown which were carried out with assistance from colleagues in the local District Support Teams.

More information available at: Counterfeit electronic products seized during searches in Belfast and Portadown

37. Northumberland

July 2024: Thousands of illicit vapes and counterfeit goods seized from Ashington premises

More than 3,800 non-compliant disposable vapes, counterfeit jewellery and clothing worth over £50,000 have been seized from a premises in Ashington by officers from Northumberland County Council’s Trading Standards Service.

More information available at: Thousands of illicit vapes and counterfeit goods seized from Ashington premises - Northumberland County Council

38. Northwich

April 2024: Northwich business prosecuted for counterfeit and illicit tobacco offences

A Northwich business has been prosecuted for counterfeit and illicit tobacco offences following an investigation by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The sole director was given a 12-month community order for 10 offences, 140 hours unpaid work (reduced from 210 hours for an early guilty plea), a victim surcharge of £114 and costs of £1,130. The business, Chester Road Market, was fined £6,000 (reduced from £9,000 for an early guilty plea), costs of £1,130 and a victim surcharge of £2,000.

More information available at: Council prosecutes Northwich business for counterfeit and illicit tobacco offences - Cheshire West and Chester Council

39. Oxfordshire

February 2025: 10,000 illicit tobacco products seized

Oxfordshire Trading Standards Officers removed almost 10,000 counterfeit and illicit cigarettes and tobacco products from shops across the county in a series of raids in January 2025.

With help from specially trained tobacco detection dogs, they found 9,340 illegal cigarettes, 700g of counterfeit hand rolling tobacco, 180 unit packs of non-compliant nicotine pouches and 42 disposable vapes with a capacity of nicotine containing liquid nine times the maximum allowed. The combined street value of the seized goods is approximately £5,000.

More information available at: 10,000 illicit tobacco products seized - Journal Of Trading Standards

Councils P to S

40. Portsmouth

July 2024: Portsmouth City Council stubs out sales of illegal tobacco

Portsmouth City Council trading standards officers conducted several inspections to tackle the issue of fake cigarettes and oversized disposable e-cigarettes in areas across Portsmouth.

Inspections have resulted in seizures of over £33,000 worth of stock including 500 cigarette packs, 2.5kg of hand rolling tobacco, and over 2,400 vapes. Many of the contents retrieved include fake duplicates of well-known tobacco brands where the contents are not regulated and are deemed as unsafe.

More information available at: Portsmouth City Council stubs out sales of illegal tobacco - Portsmouth City Council

February 2024

Operation Foxglove

Image: Portsmouth City Council needed a HGV vehicle to transport the huge haul of illicit goods seized

Portsmouth City Council Trading Standards are currently investigating a trader in relation to the production and sale of counterfeit goods.

In July 2023 during a National Day of Action targeting self storage units, HMRC came across three storage units being used by an individual to store branded goods. As the necessary paperwork was not provided all the goods were seized by HMRC and transferred to Portsmouth Trading Standards to carry out a full review and investigation.

In total, 32 pallets of goods were seized including hats, gloves, snoods, charging cables and adaptors from brands including Nike, Belkin, The North Face and Carhartt. Enquiries have shown that the individual is a director for a number of Limited companies trading branded goods on Amazon. Investigations are ongoing.

41. Preston

November 2024: Sky the sniffer dog hunts down thousands of illegal vapes and cigarettes during raids

Image: Concealed tobacco, vapes and illegal cigarettes found by detection dog and Lancashire County Council

In October 2024, Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards team joined forces with HM Revenue & Customs and tobacco detection dog Sky.

In total, around 100,000 packs of illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco, and hundreds of illegal non-compliant vapes, with a combined retail value of over £1.6million, were seized. Stashes of cannabis, together with illegal prescription drugs and antibiotics were also seized.

More information available at: Sky the sniffer dog hunts down thousands of illegal vapes and cigarettes during raids - Lancashire County Council News

42. Rhondda Cynon Taf

February 2025: Over 100 counterfeit and unsafe toys seized

Over 100 counterfeit and unsafe toys were seized after an inspection of a local business in Rhondda Cynon Taf by Trading Standards Officers.

The goods which had been bought by the business from the online retailer TEMU, were voluntarily surrendered to Trading Standards. The business owner was left upset, thinking that the items they had on sale could have brought harm to their customers.

More information available at: Over 100 counterfeit and unsafe toys seized

April 2024: Market Trader successfully prosecuted by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Trading Standards for possession of counterfeit goods for the purpose of selling

Appearing at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court, Darren Jones of Beaufort, Ebbw Vale, who ran a market stall in Mountain Ash outdoor market, pleaded guilty to 20 offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 relating to the possession for supply of counterfeit fragrances, footwear, accessories, and homeware products.

43. Rotherham

March 2025: £370,000 of counterfeit goods seized by Rotherham South Neighbourhood Policing Team and Rotherham Council Trading Standards

Image: Illicit vapes and seized by South Yorkshire Police

Reports from members of the public resulted in hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of counterfeit goods and vapes being seized from a Rotherham business. Officers discovered large quantities of counterfeit goods including headphones and other electronic devices thought to be worth approximately £370,000. Several boxes of counterfeit vapes, vape liquids and cartridges were also seized.

More information available at: Over £350k of counterfeit goods seized after work between neighbourhood officers and council - South Yorkshire Police Facebook

44. Sandwell

July 2024: Successful crackdown on counterfeit vapes and tobacco in Sandwell

Thanks to a multi-agency crackdown on selling counterfeit vapes and tobacco, between January and July 2024, Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards seized around 3200 vapes, 127,300 cigarettes and 23 pouches of Shisha. This significant haul totals to a retail value of more than £100,000.

Sniffer dogs play an important role in such enforcement activities as shop owners who choose to sell illegal products often hide them under floorboards, behind walls and in loft spaces.

More information available at: Successful crackdown on counterfeit vapes and tobacco in Sandwell - Sandwell Council

45. Scotland

August 2024: Food Standards Scotland issued public health warning after potentially harmful counterfeit vodka discovered

In August 2024, Food Standards Scotland FSS issued a public health warning after lab results from counterfeit vodka seized earlier in the month confirmed the presence of the chemical isopropyl, which can be harmful if consumed.

The counterfeit vodka recovered was sold in 35cl bottles (commonly known as half bottles) and fraudulently labelled as Glen’s. The public should be aware that, when opened, the counterfeit vodka may have a strange smell and taste differently to genuine vodka, and therefore should not be consumed.

More information available at: Food Standard Scotland issues public health warning after potentially harmful counterfeit vodka discovered

46. Stirling and Clackmannanshire

March 2025: Fake goods seized in Trading Standards Clacks operation

Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils’ Trading Standards Service has acted against a local business suspected to have been involved in the large-scale sale of counterfeit goods.

The action was planned and conducted with partners from the Intellectual Property Office and Police Scotland, and supported by a number of brand protection representatives.

Working closely with brand representatives, the recovered property will now be examined and a range of enforcement options will be considered.

More information available at: Trading Standards take action on sale of counterfeit goods in Stirling - Stirling Council

47. Solihull

March 2025: Biggest single seizure of illegal goods by Solihull Trading Standards

Thousands of pounds worth of illegal vapes, cigarettes and tobacco have been seized from a shop in Castle Bromwich, in the biggest haul of its kind.

Police and Trading Standards officers visited a shop in March 2025. Inside, they found more than 25,000 illegal cigarettes and 1,200 vapes and 80 bags of tobacco, making this the largest seizure of goods recovered in the borough.

More information available at: Biggest single seizure of illegal goods by Solihull Trading Standards

48. Southend

June 2024: Southend Trading Standards seize illegal cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes

Image: illegal vapes seized by Southend Trading Standards

Southend-on-Sea City Council’s Trading Standards, in collaboration with HMRC and Essex Police, conducted a series of successful raids on retail premises along Southchurch Road, Southend.

A total of 35,000 cigarettes and 19kg of hand-rolling tobacco were confiscated. In addition, officers seized illegal disposable vape pens valued at over £20,000. Some of these products falsely advertised a capacity of up to 15,000 puffs. According to UK regulations, any vape pen claiming more than 600 puffs is likely non-compliant, exceeding legal limits on nicotine strength and tank size.

More information available at: Southend Trading Standards seize illegal cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes – Southend-on-Sea City Council

49. Southampton

September 2024: Cracking down on illegal trading - a successful Trading Standards operation

Image: Counterfeit vapes and cigarettes seized by Southampton City Council

A series of recent trading standards raids have resulted in the confiscation of a significant amount of counterfeit and unsafe goods.

Two businesses in St Mary’s were found to be selling vapes to children, illegal vapes and smuggled or counterfeit tobacco products, along with counterfeit goods. Trading Standards Team seized over 1,700 illegal vapes and more than 2,000 illicit cigarettes, together with counterfeit watches, handbags and scarves, with a retail value in excess of £100,000.

More information available at: Cracking down on illegal trading – a successful Trading Standards operation

January 2025: Illegal vapes, tobacco and alcohol seized in Southampton organised crime investigation

Image: Bags of counterfeit cigarettes and other goods seized by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary

Officers from Southampton’s proactive Area Crime Team have seized almost £60,000 worth of illegal tobacco, vape and alcohol products following a warrant in Portswood.

The warrant was part of a longer term policing activity targeting organised crime and child exploitation in the city and beyond.

More information available at: Illegal vapes, tobacco and alcohol seized in Southampton organised crime investigation - Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

50. South Hams

April 2024: £166,000 worth of Illegal tobacco and vapes seized in joint operation

£166,000 worth of suspected illegal tobacco and vapes were seized by Trading Standards in a joint operation with Devon & Cornwall Police in South Devon.

Over 18,000 suspected illegal tobacco products and 2,000 illegal vapes were seized from a rural location in South Hams. It included a number of suspected counterfeit products, non-duty paid tobacco products and non-UK compliant vapes.

More information available at: Illegal tobacco and vapes seized in joint operation

51. St Helens

November 2024: More than 6,000 counterfeit cigarettes and £5,000 in cash seized

Images: Counterfeit cigarettes and a large amount of cash seized by Merseyside Police

The police made the discovering after stopping a car linked to an ongoing investigation. A 43-year-old man from Runcorn was arrested on suspicion of acquiring/using/possessing criminal property.

More information available at: More than 6,000 counterfeit cigarettes and £5,000 in cash seized after car stopped in St Helens - Merseyside Police

52. Stoke-on-Trent

December 2024: Early Christmas warning as Trading Standards help save consumers from knock-off goods

Stoke on Trent seized more than £250,000 of counterfeit and illegal goods in the run up to Christmas 2024, warning consumers to ‘not risk ruining Christmas’ when shopping during the festive period.

More information available at: Early Christmas warning as Trading Standards help save consumers from knock-off goods - Stoke-on-Trent

53. Suffolk - Port of Felixstowe

December 2024

Image: Counterfeit Dyson ‘Supersonic’ hairdryer emitting smoke during testing seized by Suffolk Trading Standards

Between January and December 2024, nearly 350,000 consumer goods were checked by Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Team at the Port of Felixstowe and were refused entry into the UK because they were unsafe or non-compliant.

More information available at: Consumers warned by Trading Standards to look out for dangerous faulty goods - Suffolk County Council

Councils T to W

54. Tameside

September 2024: Tameside Trading Standards seize nearly £500k in illegal goods

Image: HGV vehicle required to carry the huge haul of counterfeit goods seized by Tameside Metropolitan Borough

Nearly £500k worth of counterfeit goods, illicit vapes and tobacco products were seized during trading standards swoops on three Ashton premises.

Tameside Council enforcement officers, working with Greater Manchester Police and sniffer dogs, discovered the stashes during the wider Operation Avro crime and anti-social behaviour day of action in September 2024.

More information available at: Tameside Trading Standards seize nearly £500k in illegal goods - Tameside MBC

55. Telford & Wrekin

September 2024: Charity shop raid uncovers largest ever haul of illegal goods

Tobacco raid by Telford Council: YouTube

Cigarettes, tobacco and vapes totalling around £50,000 were seized during raids in September 2024, delivering Telford & Wrekin Council’s largest ever haul from a single premise. The searches, targeted at two convenience stores and a charity shop, were carried out by the council with support from West Mercia Police and the sniffer dogs Cooper and Griff.

More information available at: Charity shop raid uncovers largest ever haul of illegal goods - Newsroom

56. Thurrock

August 2024: Hidden counterfeit tobacco seized in Trading Standards raid

Image: Concealed counterfeit goods found by detection dog and Thurrock Council

The owner of a shop in Grays has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after illegal tobacco and vapes were found in a wall and under the counter of the premises.

More information available at: Hidden counterfeit tobacco seized in Trading Standards raid - Thurrock Council

57. Torfaen

May 2024: Facebook seller prosecuted for selling counterfeit clothing

A Facebook trader from Pontypool pleaded guilty to the sale and possession of counterfeit clothing including North Face, Chanel, Nike and Dior.

Following a hearing at Cwmbran Magistrates Court, the seller pleaded guilty to 11 charges in relation to breaching the Trade Marks Act 1994.

More information available at: Facebook seller prosecuted for selling counterfeit clothing - Torfaen County Borough Council

58. Walsall

Walsall Council’s Trading Standards in partnership with other law enforcement agencies and sniffer dogs Griff, Bran and Cooper made the largest seizures of illicit goods to date in Walsall.

Criminals have ingenuous ways to hide illicit goods in premises, but they are no match for highly skilled sniffer dogs.

March 2025: £500k worth of illegal tobacco seized in Walsall

Image: Walsall Council - Police Officers from St Matthew’s Walsall (West Midlands Police) with sniffer dogs Griff, Bran and Cooper

A huge amount of tobacco, illegal cigarettes, counterfeit duty stamps and counterfeit tobacco labelling with a retail value of approximately £500,000 was seized from a storage facility in Walsall as part of a crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade.

More information available at: £500k worth of illegal tobacco seized in Walsall - Walsall Council

July 2024: Major crackdown on illicit tobacco and vapes sees £260k of goods seized

Image: Walsall Council - Griff the sniffer dog found a concealment in a chair of illegal vapes in one premises

Illegal cigarettes, tobacco and disposable vapes with a retail value of approximately £260,000 was seized from a storage container and traders across Walsall as part of a crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade.

More information available at: Major crackdown on illicit tobacco and vapes sees £260k of goods seized - Walsall Council

59. Westmorland and Furness

June 2024: Trading Standards seize £500,000 of unsafe and counterfeit goods at Appleby Horse Fair

Image: Caravans, Campervans and horses in a field at Appleby Horse Fair

Westmorland and Furness Council Trading Standards Officers and Cumbria Police seized over £500,000 worth of goods from market fields at the 2024 Appleby Horse Fair. Counterfeit products seized included 2,500 pairs of sunglasses and almost 200 bottles of perfume from various brands.

More information available at: Trading Standards seize £500,000 of unsafe, counterfeit goods at Appleby Horse Fair - Westmorland and Furness Council

60. Westminster, City of

October 2024: Traders see almost £10,000 worth of fake Paddington Bear goods seized ahead of half-term film release

Image: Fake Paddington Bear and London merchandise seized by City of Westminster Council

Almost £10,000 worth of counterfeit Paddington Bear merchandise was seized by Westminster City Council’s Trading Standards during raids along Oxford Street.

More information available at: Traders see almost £10,000 worth of fake Paddington Bear goods seized ahead of half-term film release - Westminster City Council

61. Weston-Super-Mare

August 2024: £10,000 of illegal tobacco products seized

Image: Illegal vapes and cigarettes seized by North Somerset Council

Illegal vaping and tobacco products worth an estimated £10,000 have been seized during a multi-agency operation in Weston-super-Mare.

North Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team, Avon and Somerset Police and the Home Office Immigration Service visited a number of premises with the assistance of Rio, a specially trained tobacco search dog. In total 656 packets of illegal cigarettes, 132 packets of hand rolling tobacco and 383 illegal vapes were found and seized.

More information available at: £10,000 of illegal tobacco products seized - North Somerset Council

62. Wiltshire

November 2024: Trading standards crackdown on illegal trading

A series of recent trading standards raids have resulted in the confiscation of a significant amount of counterfeit and unsafe goods.

Officers from Wiltshire Council Trading Standards team, supported by Wiltshire Police, raided three businesses in Chippenham, Devizes and Melksham, in November 2024, suspected of selling illicit tobacco and vapes.

Illegal cigarettes, hand rolled tobacco and vape products were seized by officers who were responding to complaints to Trading Standards about the sale of illicit tobacco at these premises.

More information available at: Trading standards crackdown on illegal trading - Wiltshire Council

63. Wirral

January 2025: Thousands of pounds of counterfeit goods seized by EVOLVE Wirral team

Images: Counterfeit cigarettes and illicit products hidden inside unsuspected packaging found by Merseyside Police

Officers working to crackdown on serious and organised crime in EVOLVE Wirral have been involved in a Trading Standards operation targeting convenience stores selling illegal items.

The operation resulted in the seizure of around £15,000 of illegal tobacco, vapes and cash.

This operation also highlights the vital role young people play to assist local authorities in combating underage sales.

More information available at: Thousands of pounds of counterfeit goods seized by EVOLVE Wirral team - Merseyside Police