Police and Lancashire Trading Standards seize £17,000 worth of illegal tobacco and counterfeit goods from Burnley shops
Thousands of pounds worth of illegal tobacco and counterfeit goods have been seized by police and trading standards officers in Burnley.
Working with Lancashire Trading Standards, Burnley police officers targeted several retail premises where they discovered illegal tobacco, cigarettes and toys, with an approximate retail value of over £17,000. Trading standards officials will now be taking appropriate action against the shops.
Sergeant Victoria Bramley said: “These products are illegal and can pose a serious risk to the health of those consuming and using them.
“I’m glad we have been able to remove a quantity of them off the streets of Burnley and we will continue to work with our partners to tackle this issue. I would encourage our communities to report any shops who are breaking the law so we can continue to disrupt the sale of illegal tobacco and goods.
“By preventing the sale of illicit goods, including illegal tobacco and vapes, we can help to keep members of the public, including children, stay safe from underage sales and potentially dangerous goods. We will continue to target and take action against traders who continue to break the law."
Counterfeit goods and tobacco are unauthorized replicas of branded products. They range from fake cosmetics and flammable items. electronics and luxury goods. Often sold at heavily discounted prices, these fakes pose significant risks, including poor performance, safety hazards, and financial fraud.
Anyone who has concerns about the sale of illicit products can report them to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service helpline on 0808 223 1133. You can also report to your local neighbourhood policing team.