Counterfeit goods seized at Auld Lammas Fair

Around £100,000 of counterfeit goods have been seized at the Auld Lammas Fair in Ballycastle.

Throughout the two day police operation, illegal goods including sunglasses, clothes, and football wristbands were recovered.

Police have said that a number of individuals are to be reported to the Public Prosecution Service.

The operation was led by the PSNI's Intellectual Property Crime Unit and assisted by officers from the Ballymena area.

Last year officers, almost £10 million worth of counterfeit goods were seized from stalls at the fair.

Commenting on the operation, Chief Inspector Paul Bailie, said that the main objective for police was to ensure that people are safe and that the law is upheld.

He said: "Counterfeiting doesn't just deprive legitimate owners of profits - it costs ordinary workers their jobs and can pose serious risks to the public in products such as cigarettes, washing powder and perfume.

"We want people who come to the fair to enjoy themselves - within the law.”

He added that if you see designer goods or popular brand names at suspiciously low prices then the chances are they are either stolen or counterfeit, and should not be bought.

(EF/KMcA)