Police in Cookstown have seized a substantial quantity of counterfeit goods, with a potential value reaching hundreds of thousands of pounds, during an operation carried out in the town on Monday, 15th December.

Local Neighbourhood Team officers, with assistance from the District Support Team and officials from Trading Standards, uncovered a wide array of fake 'designer' items. The seized products included clothing, trainers, shoes, bags, and other accessories. The discovery was made during proactive searches conducted under Operation Season's Greetings at several residential and business properties.

Cookstown Neighbourhood Sergeant Evan Maxwell highlighted the wider implications of purchasing such items: "With finances tight for almost everyone, particularly at this time of year, it can be very tempting to see buying fake products like these as an easy way to get the item you want at a cheaper price, surely it's a harmless and victimless crime? Sadly it is often the case that this couldn't be further from the truth." Sergeant Maxwell detailed the ethical and safety concerns associated with the counterfeit trade. He explained that counterfeit goods are predominantly manufactured by people in other parts of the world who work in "terrible conditions, with low to no pay." He also warned that these workers "can also victims of trafficking or human slavery."

Additionally, low quality manufacturing can compromise the safety of the user, as it "can also make products potentially dangerous to you, the end buyer."

The Sergeant further linked the profits from the illicit trade to serious criminality: "Profits from the sale of fake products help to fund organised crime groups who are involved in other crimes like drug dealing, that we know local people do not want in their community."

Sergeant Maxwell strongly urged the public to consider their choices this festive season: "I would urge people to reconsider their choices when faced with the option to buy counterfeit goods this Christmas, no matter how good a 'bargain' it may seem. Please report anything you know to us and we will investigate. Call 101 or provide information online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport."

Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.