Alert over danger fakes

Cllr Dave Hibbert

A CHRISTMAS crackdown has been launched to stop the sale of counterfeit goods in the run up to December 25.

Oldham Council’s Trading Standards Service has teamed up with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to introduce the ‘Keeping It Real’ campaign which works in partnership with local businesses providing guidance to employers and staff to increase their awareness of what to look out for. Counterfeit goods are often offered for sale especially in the run up to the festive period.

The most common fakes are clothing, DVDs and CDs, perfumes and cosmetics, software, cigarettes and alcohol.

These items are normally seen as cheaper alternatives to the genuine branded goods, but are often of inferior quality and sometimes can be dangerous.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council cabinet member for housing, planning and transport, said: “Over the last few weeks we’ve seized fake vodka that could potentially cause blindness, cosmetics full of lead and bacteria and electrical goods that are unsafe.

“At this time of year most people are looking for a bargain and money can be tight. We’re trying to raise awareness of the dangers that can arise from counterfeit goods.”

For more information about counterfeit goods and how to spot them or for further details on the campaign itself, go to the website at http://keep-it-real-at-work.org.uk
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