More than £11,000 of illegal goods seized in Walsall town centre operation

Illegal goods worth more than £11,000 have been seized from two shops in Walsall town centre following a joint operation by Trading Standards and local Police.

Enforcement visits took place at around midday on Friday 28 August as part of Operation Advance, a West Midlands Police initiative targeting traders involved in the sale of illegal goods.

At the first premises, officers from Walsall Trading Standards seized 67 packets of illegal tobacco, with an estimated retail value of more than £1,000.

Officers then seized nine bags of suspected counterfeit goods from a second premises, estimated to be worth more than £10,000. The haul included toys, clothing, football club mugs and rucksacks, alongside further illegal tobacco products.

The second business is already subject to an ongoing criminal investigation by Walsall Trading Standards.

The council says the latest seizure will form part of that investigation, which could ultimately result in criminal prosecution and an application for a Closure Order against the premises.

Councillor Ian Benton, Walsall Council's Portfolio Holder for Street Scene and Enforcement, said the operation demonstrated the continued partnership between Trading Standards and police in identifying businesses suspected of selling illegal goods.

He said the council would continue using its enforcement powers to protect residents, legitimate traders and local communities from the impact of illegal and counterfeit products.

Walsall Council says further enforcement activity will continue across the borough as part of its work with partners to tackle the sale of illegal goods.