Police swoop on fake dvds

Police seized £50,000 worth of counterfeit DVDs, CDs and computer games when they swooped on one of Cannock's most popular car boot sales.

The haul included more than 5,000 bootleg items including the latest blockbuster movies and games and was found at the car boot sale off Wellington Drive, Longford.

It is the latest swoop on car boot sales in the area which are increasingly attracting rogue sellers.

It is believed visitors to the popular car boot tipped off police about the illegal goods.

Pc Dilbinderjit Kooner, of Watling Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "This is a very good example of the local community and neighbourhood policing working in partnership."

He added: "A significant amount of counterfeit goods were seized which can only disrupt the operations of those criminals seeking to gain from the illegal sale of counterfeit goods.

"Further operations are planned in the run up to Christmas at car boot sales in the area."

Carefully planned Operation Gatsby was carried out at the car boot sale off Wellington Drive on Sunday, but police only revealed details today.

A 21 year-old man from Stafford, a 33 year-old man from Birmingham and a 39 year-old man from Tamworth were arrested and cautioned in relation to selling goods bearing false trade marks and one offence of displaying indecent material in a public place.

A car boot sale in Cocksparrow Lane, Huntington, was targeted by officers last month when 25,000 counterfeit CDs, DVDs and pornography with an estimated street value of £500,000 was seized.

Anyone with information about counterfeit items should call Staffordshire Police on 08453 302010.

By Michelle Pearson