Warning over car boot counterfeit surge this bank holiday

Car-boot-sale shoppers could be left out of pocket this bank holiday Monday and quite literally be burnt by shoddy counterfeit goods this weekend, including fake perfumes and sunglasses, dodgy electrical equipment, flammable children's clothes and unsafe toys, councils have warned.

The Local Government Association, which represents councils in England and Wales, said car boot sales were a "hotbed" for fake goods. With a larger number of the traditional British jumble sales than normal expected to take place in fields and car parks across the country over the bank holiday, it is warning shoppers to stay vigilant.

Councillor Simon Blackburn said: "Markets and car boot sales are great family events for bargain hunters, but they can also be a magnet for dodgy traders, especially over busy bank holiday weekends, where they can sell dangerous and poor quality goods to unsuspecting customers.

"Criminals selling illegal, fake goods ruin the reputation of genuine stall holders, harm legitimate businesses, cost the economy millions in lost tax revenue and often fund organised criminal gangs and modern slavery."

Local authorities have reported an increase in counterfeiting and seized £23,000 worth of fake designer handbags from the home of a Hertfordshire-based market vendor in January.

In the same month two men were given suspended prison sentences for attempting to sell a haul of fake designer clothing worth £84,000, and one east London council seized 160 counterfeit mobile phones with a value of £120,000.

Telegraph Money previously reported how counterfeiters were taking advantage of Remembrance Sunday to profit from unsuspecting consumers by selling them fake poppies and other sham Royal British Legion charity merchandise.

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