POLICE have scored a coup in the fight against counterfeit goods on sale in Blackpool streets.

Officers and trading standards officials swooped over the Bank Holiday weekend arresting traders in the town centre.

They seized fake CDs, T-shirts and sweaters, including replicas of popular brand-names Adidas and Reebok, valued at around £4,300.

Six people were arrested in connection with the find and police are now liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service to consider prosecution.

Acting Sergeant Neil Sladen said: "Obviously we're delighted about the find but unfortunately it's just the tip of the iceberg.

"We have had a lot of success arresting the front men but it is the suppliers we really want - the Mr Bigs.

"We feel we are making progress and hope to see some results soon."

Sgt Sladen says counterfeiting is a major problem in Blackpool due to the large amount of tourism.

"We often receive complaints from the public about cheap substandard goods. Unfortunately people are not always able to tell the difference between a fake and the real thing until after they have paid for it."

The police campaign is an ongoing one and has celebrated many successes.

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