Kent County Council Trading Standards, supported by Kent Police, swooped on Swanley Market in a crackdown on the sale of counterfeit goods.

Trading Standards visited four stalls at Swanley Market

A joint enforcement team of 17 officers targeted several stalls following reports that fake products were being sold.

Items seized, including adult and children’s clothing, bags, hats, sunglasses, belts and watches, filled 168 large evidence bags and copied luxury brands included Armani and Gucci.

Kent Trading Standards Operations Manager Clive Phillips said: “Selling counterfeit products is illegal and will not be tolerated.

“As well as undermining local legitimate businesses, fake goods can also ruin Christmases because they are of inferior quality and fail to conform with safety standards.

“Money made from the sale of counterfeit products also very often helps to fund serious organised crime.

Items filling 168 evidence bags were seized during the joint operation

“For all these reasons we will continue to work in partnership with Kent Police to crack down on this illegal trade and urge people to report anyone selling counterfeit goods in their community.”

Kent Police Inspector Matt Atkinson said: “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re getting a great deal, you may be buying stolen or counterfeit goods.

“Buyers will often find that their purchase turns out to be poor quality and this may make the product unusable or even unsafe.”

How to report it

* If you think you have been sold counterfeit goods, or if you suspect somebody is selling fake products, get advice from the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

* If you suspect you have been offered stolen property call Kent Police on 101.