HUNDREDS of cheap imitation sunglasses computer games, music compact discs and DVDs with a street value of around £5,000 have been crushed by Isle of Wight Council Trading Standards Officers in a clamp down on rogue traders.

Where possible, goods are recycled, or reused. However, the discs could not be rewritten and officers could not be sure that the sunglasses were safe against ultraviolet rays.

The goods, which would have been worth around £35,000 if genuine, were crushed with the assistance of JA Dempsey in Sandown.

The council’s trading standards team take counterfeiting very seriously and work closely with a variety of international companies.

Officers carry out regular checks on auction sites as well as undercover visits to car boot sales. Anyone found selling counterfeit products will have their goods seized and could face prosecution.

The most common goods that are copied are games, music, clothing and fragrances. However more unusual items such as vehicle parts, washing powder, stamps, condoms, toothpaste, batteries, and medicines are now flooding the market.

Counterfeit goods will not have been tested to meet safety standards and can be lethal. For example, counterfeit alcohol has been found to contain methanol, a chemical which can cause blindness, coma and even death.

In December 2006, a 7 year-old boy was killed whilst using a counterfeit game console charger bought abroad.

Councillor Diana Tuson Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for safer communities said: “People think they are getting a bargain when actually they could be putting their lives at risk. Those who sell counterfeit goods can be involved in other crimes such as benefit fraud or even organised crime.”

Trading Standards Officers have issued advice on how to avoid buying counterfeit goods

* Buy from a trustworthy source
* Examine the packaging carefully
* Check for negative feedback on auction sites
* Look for the kitemark & BSI mark on toys

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