Crackdown on traders selling counterfeit goods at markets

TRADERS who sell counterfeit goods at markets across the Wakefield district are facing a crackdown.

Wakefield Council has signed up to the Real Deal national markets' charter which is gained by councils and markets that demonstrate a commitment to keeping their market as fake-free zones and by barring anyone found to be trading in counterfeit and other illegal products.

The authority, working closely with officers from West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, has introduced vetting procedures to ensure fake goods are not sold.

In recognition of this markets in Castleford, Featherstone, Hemsworth, Normanton, Ossett, Pontefract, South Elmsall and Wakefield will be able to display the Real Deal logo.

Coun David Dagger, the council’s cabinet portfolio holder for markets, will officially sign up the district’s markets to the charter at Castleford Market on Thursday.

He said: “I think this is a marvellous initiative which we are delighted to support.

“It gives a very clear message to unscrupulous individuals selling counterfeits and other illegal products that they will not be tolerated on our markets.”

Trading standards chief officer Graham Hebblethwaite said: “We are delighted to be working with Wakefield district markets on this initiative which demonstrates a joint commitment to ensuring consumers and local businesses are protected from unscrupulous trader selling counterfeit goods.”

Liz Bales, director general of the Industry Trust for IP Awareness, which initiated the Real Deal campaign, said: “The sale of counterfeit goods is a problem that affects many markets and car boots sales across the country.

“When illicit traders gain a foothold, the good reputation of a market, and the service it offers to shoppers, can be very quickly undermined.”

Anyone who wishes to report information on the sale of counterfeit goods can contact the Trading Standards Consumer Direct line on 08454 040506 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Real Deal charter is part of a nationwide initiative to keep dealers in counterfeit and other illicit goods from UK markets and car boot sales.