Trading Standards officers join police and Customs and Excise today to fight the counterfeiting industry that costs the UK economy up to £3 billion a year.

You might think that you're getting a good bargain - but often the product isn't made very well.

After a few washes your "designer" jeans are likely to fade and fall apart at the seams, and that fake watch will not only leave your wrist green it will probably seize up as soon as it starts to drizzle.


"Not only does it deprive business of legitimate profit, but it also dupes the public into believing they are buying high-quality goods when they are actually getting cheap fakes." Head of Regulatory Services, John Fulstow

In a bid to keep one step ahead of the criminals Trading standards, Customs and Excise and police in the South are using technology to help them continue their fight.

They can now micro print an address on something as small as one strand in a jumper.

The roadshow in Winchester is being hosted for companies who have been hit by counterfeiting. In Hampshire there are around 30 cases a year of clothes, perfumes and products. The most notable so far was the seizure of £1 million worth of fake designer clothes.

Rodney Goldrup Head of Fair Trading The aims of the roadshow:
Rodney Goldrup Head of Fair Trading The quality of the goods: