Frauds force city market closure

The market, which has been operating since the early 1990s, attracts up to 1,000 stallholders every week.

However, in recent years it had become the focus for organised criminal activity, including the sale of counterfeit music, DVDs and clothing.

It was closed because of the snow for two weeks after Christmas, and will not now reopen. Letters have gone out to all stallholders explaining the reasons behind the decision.

Leeds City Council's executive board member for community safety, Les Carter, who is also the chairman of Safer Leeds, said yesterday: "I'm saddened that we have had to take the decision to close Cross Green market but the level of counterfeit and stolen goods being traded there left us with little choice.

"Over the past year we have worked closely with the police and trading standards officers to try and deal with the issue but the problem persists.

"I'm afraid the criminal minority has managed to spoil things for the vast majority of law-abiding people.

"It should also be noted that people were coming from other parts of the country to take part in this illegal trading.

"Leeds has a thriving market culture and we will continue to do all we can to support that but illegal traders must understand that we will always take action against illegal activities."

The council, West Yorkshire Police and Trading Standards mounted a number of operations at the site, including issuing permits and a trader registration scheme. But the scale of the problem and the nature of the site means the measures have made little difference.

Supt Simon Whitehead from Safer Leeds, the city's crime reduction partnership, said: "It is unfortunate that a decision to close Cross Green market has had to be taken but the manufacture and sale of counterfeit goods is a serious issue and has a significant element in organised crime.

"Working alongside Leeds City Council and Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact), we have taken every step possible to combat this matter.

"The sale of counterfeit music and films may seem appealing but the profits from these goods is used to fund organised crime and by purchasing these products people may be unwittingly helping to fund high level criminality like drug dealing and people trafficking."

The decision has been welcomed by campaigners from Fact, and the BPI, which represents the British music industry.

Fact director general Kieron Sharp said: "We have been working with Safer Leeds to find a solution to the problems that have plagued Cross Green Market for years.

"It is vital that the trade in counterfeit goods which has blighted so many markets is stamped out and those markets are returned to being safe environments for families to enjoy."

Anyone with any information about anyone selling fake goods can contact police by calling 08456 60 60 606 or they should call Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence via 0800 555 111.