Latest News / Archive - November 2008

14 November 2008

LARGE PIRATE DVD FACTORY FOUND IN MANCHESTER

Police officers from Greater Manchester Police working together with FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) and Stockport Trading Standards have discovered a large pirate DVD factory in Stockport, Manchester.

The intelligence-led operation took police officers to three residential addresses in the Stockport area. The three addresses were searched in the early hours of this morning.

Three men, aged between 26 – 42 years, have been arrested after 79 burners were found at one address. The burners together with other equipment and several thousand DVDs have been confiscated. Several DVDs were found at the other two addresses, including several copies of Quantum of Solace and other recent Hollywood titles.

The counterfeit DVDs, which are sold for approximately £3 each, are known to generate substantial criminal profits for those involved in their production.

Councillor Stuart Bodsworth, Executive Member for the Environment, said: “This has yet again been another very successful partnership led operation with the Council working closely with the Police and the Federation Against Copyright Theft in a bid to protect Stockport residents from these rogue traders. I would like congratulate everyone involved in this operation but particularly the Council’s Trading Standards team on their professionalism and dedication in bringing this whole operation together.”

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, added: "This was an intelligence led operation in partnership with Greater Manchester Police and Stockport Trading Standards and has successfully targeted a criminal enterprise manufacturing and supplying knock off DVDs for sale across Manchester.

FACT welcomes the opportunity to assist the Police and Trading Standards in tackling this persistent and lucrative criminal trade."

To report the manufacture or sale of counterfeit DVDs call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.

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28 November 2008

FOUR PEOPLE ARRESTED IN MIDLANDS AFTER HOMES SEARCHED

Four people have been arrested and 8,500 counterfeit DVDs seized after search warrants were carried out at four houses in the Midlands on Monday (24 November).

The raids were conducted following a lengthy intelligence enquiry into the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit digital media in the Leicestershire area.

Trading Standards Officers from Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire along with police officers from Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Northamptonshire carried out the operation, assisted by investigating officers from FACT.

Four males were arrested at addresses in Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Leicestershire.

Along with the discs other equipment seized in the raids included 16 burners, several hard drives, printers and multiple memory devices.

Counterfeit DVDs seized included titles such as 10,000 BC, Vantage Point and Outpost.

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: “The trade in counterfeit DVDs brings harm to local communities and threatens local businesses and legitimate market traders.

I would like to thank all the agencies involved for their assistance and their continued efforts to tackle this problem.”

To report the manufacture or sale of counterfeit DVDs call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.

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28 November 2008

PADDY’S MARKET RAIDED BY POLICE

Strathclyde Police arrested eight men in connection with alleged criminal activity at Paddy’s Market, Glasgow yesterday (Thursday 27 November 2008).

In the early hours of yesterday morning, officers went to the homes of the men, aged between 16 and 46 years, and detained them in connection with the alleged sale and supply of drugs at the market.

The operation, which aims to impact on the antisocial behaviour and crime in the area, saw over 100 officers, including the support unit and the dog branch, working alongside the UK Border Agency, Glasgow City Council, FACT, Department of Work and Pensions and BPI (British Recorded Music Industry).

Superintendent Tom Doran, the officer in charge of the operation, said: The operation has been weeks in the planning and it has been a very successful day for everyone involved.

“It is an excellent example of how police, working together with their partner agencies, can make a significant impact on an area.”

Thousands of pounds worth of DVDs and CDs, along with clothing, all believed to be counterfeit, were seized by FACT and Trading Standards.

Officers from the UK Border Agency recovered over 101,000 contraband cigarettes and 21 kilos of tobacco.

Anne-Marie Symes, senior UKBA officer, was delighted to be involved in the operation.  She said: We have made a significant impact on the illegal traders in the area today.  Operations like this can only serve to benefit everyone, especially legitimate traders, in the long run.”

Superintendent Doran continued: Paddy’s Market has a long history and we know what it means to the generations of people that have been coming here, however, it has unfortunately attracted a criminal element for sometime now.

“This type of activity just cannot go on.  It tars the legitimate traders with the same brush and brings undesirables to the area.

Kieron Sharp, Director General of FACT, said: “We are delighted to be working with Strathclyde Police and all the agencies involved to crack down on the illegal trade in counterfeit goods. Paddy’s Market has been a problem for a number of years with the overt sale of counterfeit DVDs and we welcome any moves to tackle this ongoing problem.”

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