Trading Standards officers in partnership with West Midlands Police seized more than 800 suspected counterfeit items during the operation at a store in the city.

The operation was organised after information was received from a member of the public and subsequent monitoring of the store by officers from the Bilston Neighbourhood Police Team and Trading Standards.

The haul of items ranged from sportswear to coats, footwear and accessories. The items are estimated to be worth thousands of pounds and included suspected counterfeits of brands such as The North Face, Calvin Klein and Nike.

The goods will now be examined and the retailer investigated by Trading Standards officers for suspected offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994. If the goods are confirmed to be counterfeit, legal action will be taken. 

The seizure is part of ongoing work by the council to protect consumers and legitimate businesses from the detrimental effects of counterfeit products.

Trading Standards officers and police have also recently made seizures of illicit tobacco, vapes and counterfeit toys. 

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Although it may seem like it, selling counterfeit clothing is not a victimless crime.

“Not only do counterfeiters mislead the public into thinking they are spending their money on a genuine product, that money could be used to fund other illegal activities such as forced labour, drug trafficking or cyber crime.

“Many people do knowingly buy counterfeit goods, but I would ask them to think carefully about parting with their cash for fake goods. Please ask yourself who you want to give your money to.”

Inspector Steve Edwards, from Bilston Police said: "We are always keen to support our partners with work around rogue operators and trading in counterfeit goods.

"Not only are such activities against the law, but they can also be unsettling and disruptive for the communities they are operating in."

It can be difficult to spot counterfeit versions of clothing by designer brands. Officers from our Trading Standards team give the following advice:

• Research the genuine brand or garment on the brand’s official website or by visiting an established or authorised retailer
• Check the quality of the fabric, embroidery or stitching, and hardware (such as zips or buttons).
• Look for spelling mistakes on the garment, the labels and packaging
• Check the care label – do the instructions and fabric description match the product?
• Consider the price – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
• Consider the seller – would you expect to see the volume and/or variety of high-end goods for sale together?
• The easiest way to avoid counterfeit goods is to buy from reputable businesses either in their shops or on their official websites. 

Residents can report the suspected sale of counterfeit clothing to Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue/