Over £350k of counterfeit goods seized after work between neighbourhood officers and council

Information reported by members of the public has resulted in hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of counterfeit goods and vapes being seized from a Rotherham business.

On 5 March, officers from Rotherham South Neighbourhood Policing Team (SNT) carried out a joint operation with Rotherham Council’s Trading Standards Team at a business in Dinnington.

Intelligence which had been passed on by the local community led to an inspection of the business.

Officers discovered large quantities of counterfeit goods – including headphones and other electronic devices – thought to be worth approximately £370,000.

The devices were seized alongside several boxes of counterfeit vapes, vape liquids and cartridges. These products often contain contaminants which make them more harmful to a user’s health – failing to meet relevant safety standards.

Rotherham South NPT Inspector Darren Birley said:

“The products seized were undercutting legitimate businesses and, in the case of the counterfeit vapes, posed a potential health risk.

“This joint operation with Rotherham Council is part of our ongoing partner work to ensure the safety of our local communities. Working together on the issues that matter the most to local communities is what pushes us to achieve results like these. The hard work does not stop, and we will continue to focus on this issue.

“The information provided by members of the public is vital in helping us gather intelligence, carry out inspections and execute warrants.”

If you have any information relating to the suspected sale of illicit vapes or tobacco products from shops anywhere within your area, please report online or by calling 101.

To report a business to Trading Standards visit the webpage: Report a business to Trading Standards – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council