Hundreds of illegal DVDs seized

Counterfeit copies of top Bollywood DVDs have been seized in a series of raids by Trading Standards officers in Coppice and Glodwick.

Three people were arrested and five properties searched in a crackdown on the growing problem of counterfeit DVDs entering the Indian films market and undermining legitimate retailers in the UK.

The raids took place as the International Indian Film Academy celebrated the best of Indian film at its 10th annual awards ceremony, held at the weekend in Macau, China.

Copies of Ashutosh Gowariker’s film “Jodhaa Akbar”, which won best film at the awards, were among the illegal DVDs seized in Oldham.

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said, “There is considerable demand for Indian films in our communities and we have taken this action to protect the livelihoods of the many legitimate retailers and renters of Indian films in the borough.”

“Those traders that choose to operate in the informal economy risk having their goods seized and being prosecuted by our Trading Standards officers.”

The three men arrested were all from the Glodwick and Coppice areas of Oldham and are aged 23, 34 and 54 years.

All were questioned and released on bail pending further inquiries. The five properties searched included two shops in Waterloo Street, Glodwick, and at the rear of Osbourne Road, Coppice, together with three residential properties.

Hundreds of DVDs were seized in the raids, which were conducted in partnership with Greater Manchester Police and representatives of the film industry.