East Sussex County Council's Trading Standards Service is working with Sussex Police and Car Boot organisers to drive out people who sell fake goods at Car Boot Sales.
Earlier this year two Car Boot Sales – at Hailsham and Hastings – signed the charter and now eight more ‘Car Boots' have joined.
All the Car Boot organisers that have signed up will be displaying A-boards with a strong anti-fake message aimed at buyers and sellers, asking people to report fakes to Trading Standards, and reminding the public that both Trading Standards and the Police carry out regular patrols and test-purchases.
Councillor Bob Tidy, Lead Member for Community Services at the County Council said: “Fakes cause great harm not just to the brand owners but to legitimate traders that face unfair competition from cheap fake brands. Fake products are also sometimes unsafe and could put the public in danger.
“I am really pleased that the car boot organisers have been so willing to work with us to get rid of fakes from their markets. We want people to have a good time at car boot sales but sellers of fakes give markets a bad name and cause great harm to all.”
Sergeant Owen Radley from the Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Operations Team at Sussex Police said: “We're delighted to take the lead in East Sussex and work closely with our partners at Trading Standards. Every regular site in Wealden is now signed up to this scheme and these charters are a major step forward in protecting the public from unscrupulous sellers. It is great to have the involvement of the organisers to work alongside us in making boot sales a fake free zone.
“We'll continue our regular covert and overt patrols at Boot Sale sites to ensure members of the public can buy and sell in safety. Officers patrolling Boot Sale sites are always in possession of lists of stolen property and robust action will be taken against anyone found irresponsibly selling prohibited items such as knives or other dangerous items.
“I would encourage anyone wishing to report illegal activity to either notify their local officer, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
Alternatively, if you want to report a seller of fakes, phone 08454 04 05 06 or email: stopfakes@eastsussex.gov.uk. If you would like to know more about the charter, please visit Real Deal Markets.
Further information
The eight Car Boots that have recently signed up are:
- The Dell at Peacehaven
- Lewes Car Boot (behind Waitrose)
- Peacehaven Indoor Market
- Robin Hood Car Boot at Icklesham
- Crowborough Rugby Club at Steel Cross
- Nash Street on the A22 at Lower Dicker
- Hailsham Market
- Pevensey Bay on the A27.
The photo shows: Danielle Head from Trading Standards, Simon Davies from Crowborough Rugby Club, Sergeant Owen Radley from Sussex Police and Graham Wolstenholme from Trading Standards.
Reference:
2898
Contact the press team
East Sussex County Council