Police have raided around £1 million worth of fake designer clothes and jewellery including football shirts and look alike Nike trainers in Camden.
Roughly 4,000 counterfeit items were seized from four shops on Camden High Street on Tuesday by City of London Police officers.
In one shop alone £400,000 worth of fake designer bracelets were found while £19,240 worth of trainers were found in another store.
It comes after officers seized £5 million worth of counterfeit clothing, handbags and watches from two shops on the same street in August. Three people were arrested.
City of London Police have warned people to think twice before buying bargain products as gifts in the run up to Christmas as “counterfeiting can be a gateway to fund other organised crime”.
Detective inspector Andrew Masterson, from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit, said: “We seized a range of counterfeit products that included toys and vapes, which we believe were made to a low quality and didn’t meet safety standards.
“We’re following up on raids in Camden earlier this year to send a clear message that we’re here for the long-term.
“We’re working with brands and Trading Standards to make Camden a hostile place for counterfeiters to sell their wares, and where legitimate traders can thrive.”
Camden councillor Richard Olszewski added: “We want all businesses that play by the rules to flourish in Camden – and we will not allow them to be undercut by traders that sell counterfeit goods.
“We also have a duty to protect Camden consumers, who are vulnerable to being ripped off or sold a poor-quality product.
“These regular raids send out a strong message – get your house in order and trade legally, or face a visit from the police and Trading Standards. You will be held to account for your dishonest actions.”
