IFSEC Insider is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.
Border Force operations have successfully intercepted thousands of counterfeit Olympic goods that criminal gangs have tried to smuggle into the UK in a bid to make an illegal profit from the London Games.
According to the Home Office, the biggest haul came at the Port of Felixstowe, where more than 7,000 fake Olympic gym bags were seized by Border Force officers.
Around the UK, Border Force officers have foiled plots to smuggle Olympic goods through ports and airports and seized:
540 Olympic-branded cigarette lighters at Felixstowe
432 Olympic-themed vests at Dover
15 fake Olympic Adidas football shirts and 90 fake Olympic Polo Ralph Lauren shirts in parcels at Coventry’s international postal hub
Speaking about these significant hauls, Home Office minister Damian Green said: “Counterfeiting is not a harmless crime but a criminal enterprise posing a serious economic threat estimated to be worth around GB pound 1.3 billion in the UK each year. In this Olympic summer our officers have used intelligence sources, scanner technology and search techniques to successfully thwart those seeking to illegally profit from the Games.”
Green also stated: “Border Force officers at ports and airports around the UK help monitor inbound freight to safeguard our communities from the illegal import of harmful items such as drugs, weapons and counterfeit goods.”.
Listen to the IFSEC Insider podcast!
Each month, the IFSEC Insider (formerly IFSEC Global) Security in Focus podcast brings you conversations with leading figures in the physical security industry. Covering everything from risk management principles and building a security culture, to the key trends ahead in tech and initiatives on diversity and inclusivity, the podcast keeps security professionals up to date with the latest hot topics in the sector.
Available online, and on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, tune in for an easy way to remain up to date on the issues affecting your role.
UK Border Force seizes fake Olympic merchandiseBorder Force operations have successfully intercepted thousands of counterfeit Olympic goods that criminal gangs have tried to smuggle into the […]
IFSEC Insider
IFSEC Insider | Security and Fire News and Resources
Subscribe
2 Comments
Oldest
NewestMost Voted
darrenMolton
July 1, 2013 1:45 am
There is nothing brand new about counterfeit sporting merchandise. It is a criminal industry that takes billions a year away from legitimate, authorized vendors. With the world’s eyes on London this summer, United Kingdom authorities are urging vacationers to avoid sustaining criminal behavior by purchasing knock-off items. Already, hundreds have been arrested for pushing bogus goods.
Darren you are right. Criminals never let a single opportunity slipped from there hands and are always ahead of the thoughts of the government. Iam of the opinion that if you give ligitemacy to these vendors and tax them then you can minimize their effect as well as bring them into the tax net.
There is nothing brand new about counterfeit sporting merchandise. It is a criminal industry that takes billions a year away from legitimate, authorized vendors. With the world’s eyes on London this summer, United Kingdom authorities are urging vacationers to avoid sustaining criminal behavior by purchasing knock-off items. Already, hundreds have been arrested for pushing bogus goods.
Darren you are right. Criminals never let a single opportunity slipped from there hands and are always ahead of the thoughts of the government. Iam of the opinion that if you give ligitemacy to these vendors and tax them then you can minimize their effect as well as bring them into the tax net.