A new taskforce to tackle counterfeit trading in one of the UK’s biggest centres for the importation and distribution of counterfeit goods has been set up by Ealing Council.
The industrial estate in Southall, west London – known locally as Charles House – has illegal traders selling fake and unsafe items, which is then distributed across the country. Ealing Council and partner organisations have significantly stepped up efforts to crack down on on the illegal activity and a series of recent raids has uncovered tonnes of dangerous and illegal goods at the centre and surrounding area on Bridge Road.
Operation Linchpin is being led by Ealing Council’s trading standards team and is funded by National Trading Standards. It brings together a range of enforcement agencies to stop illegal traders, protect shoppers, and support honest businesses.
The operation will combine inspections, enforcement action, and education to deal with the long-standing criminal activity in the area.
The operation began with 2 major raids on the site. The latest raid took place on Thursday 3 September, when trading standards officers carried out inspections at businesses in Grand Union Enterprise Park. They were supported by more than 20 Metropolitan Police officers, alongside officers from the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Group, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Border Force, and 8 other council trading standards teams: the London boroughs of Bromley, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Lewisham, Southwark and Greenwich as well as Rochdale Borough Council, and Hertfordshire County Council.
During the operation, officers seized 18.5 tonnes of illicit, unsafe, and non-compliant goods – enough to fill an entire large lorry. The haul included dangerous and illegal vapes, toys, and cosmetics that were destined to be sold to unwitting customers on high streets across the UK.
On previous occasions that officers have visited the site, several traders quickly pull down their shutters to stop inspections taking place. This time, the officers went prepared and used mechanical equipment to gain entry and recover illegal goods.A significant quantity of non-duty paid shisha tobacco was also seized by HMRC officers. Investigations are continuing.
The raid followed an earlier unannounced inspection on Tuesday 18 August, when trading standards officers seized more than 13,500 unsafe counterfeit toys from a wholesaler in Charles House.The toys failed to meet legal safety requirements. They had no CE or UKCA safety markings, no manufacturer or importer details to trace where they came from, and no safety warnings. Many also carried well-known trademarks, including Avengers, Hello Kitty, and Lilo and Stitch, but were produced without permission from the trademark owners. Selling unsafe and counterfeit goods can lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years and an unlimited fine. Investigations in this case are ongoing.
This follows a previous raid at Charles House in February, which led to the seizure of around 15,000 poor quality, potentially dangerous Labubu dolls, amongst other items.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “Operation Linchpin shows that we are serious about stopping criminal traders who put shoppers at risk and damage honest businesses.
“Charles House has been a major part of the counterfeit goods industry across the country for many years, and several other forms of criminality have also been linked to the site.
“Anyone involved in selling counterfeit or dangerous products at Charles House should be under no illusion. This is not a one-off operation, and we will continue working with our partners to take action and get these dangerous goods off the market.”
PS Patrick McDonagh, Southall Neighbourhood Sergeant for Norwood Green & Dormers Wells, said: “This operation demonstrates the strength of partnership working in tackling criminality and protecting our communities.
“Southall deserves to be a place where residents feel safe and legitimate businesses can thrive. By removing illegal goods and disrupting those who profit from crime, we are sending a clear message that this type of activity will not be tolerated. I would like to thank all our partner agencies for their professionalism, hard work, and commitment. Together, we are making Southall safer, protecting our communities and ensuring those involved in criminality are held to account.”
Go to the Citizens Advice website to contact its consumer service.
You can anonymously report the illegal sale of vapes and tobacco products on the council’s website.
