| Latest
News / Archive
13th June 2006
10
ARRESTS BY FILM PIRACY UNIT WORKING WITH FACT
‘pre-emptive
strike against the top tier of a successful criminal
network’
At
approx 11.30 this morning (13.06.06) police officers
from the Film Piracy Unit and Territorial Support
Group at the Met police have arrested ten people
believed to be involved in a large criminal network
dealing in film piracy.
The raids were carried out in North Chingford, Harlow
and Walthamstow at residential and business premises.
Utilizing intelligence from a number of sources
including FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft),
IFPI (International Federation Phonographic Industries)
and Waltham Forest Trading Standards, the Met's
Film Piracy Unit were able to target a successful
criminal network dealing in the production of counterfeit
DVD's.
The factory, at industrial premises in Harlow, is
believed to be a supplier sustaining the production
of counterfeit film products by criminal networks
in London, the South East and Home Counties.
Two men and a woman were arrested at business premises
in Walthamstow, a further three men were arrested
at business premises in Harlow. They have all been
arrested on suspicion of:
(1) Conspiracy to launder the proceeds of criminal
conduct
(2) Conspiracy to produce counterfeit film product
A further man was arrested in Harlow on suspicion
of possession of a Class A drug.
All of the above seven have been taken to an Essex
Police Station.
Three men arrested during the raid have been bailed
to return to a police station at a later date.
No one was arrested at the raid in North Chingford.
Searches are ongoing.
Detective Superintendent Trevor Shepherd, Economic
and Specialist Crime Directorate said:
"Today's arrests are key in closing down
a large proportion of the film piracy industry in
the south east. By working with our partners (FACT)
we have been able to take a pre-emptive strike against
the top tier of a successful criminal network."
Raymond Leinster, FACT Director General, said:
"This is a significant success for the
Met's Film Piracy Unit working together with FACT.
The focus of this operation is to dismantle a commercial
entity sustaining the large scale manufacture and
distribution of counterfeit film media. We welcome
the in depth financial investigation under the proceeds
of crime act associated with today's raids."
1st June 2006
BRIAN
ROBERTSON APPOINTED FACT CHAIRMAN
The
Federation Again Copyright Theft (FACT) is pleased
to announce the appointment of Brian Robertson
as FACT Chairman with immediate effect. Brian
was elected by a unanimous vote, in accordance
with the Articles of Association, at the FACT
Board Meeting held on the 24th May 2006.
The
post of Chairman became vacant following the resignation
of Marek Antoniak of Sony Pictures who had served
in the post for 11 years. Brian Robertson has
held senior UK and European finance positions
at Sony Pictures Entertainment for the past 11
years and is the current Chair for the FACT Finance
Committee.
Raymond
Leinster, FACT Director General said, “I
would personally like to thank Marek for the dedication
shown during his time as Chairman. He has been
of immense help to myself and to the organisation
as we continue to enhance our capabilities fighting
film piracy in the UK. I look forward to working
with Brian to ensure that we are equipped to tackle
the new challenges presented from digital and
online piracy as well as the sustained threat
from more traditional forms of piracy.”
Brian Robertson added “I
very much look forward to working closely with
the FACT team on the immense challenges they face.”
top
of page
|
