A shop in Barking selling counterfeit electrical goods has had over 1,000 items confiscated by Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers following a routine inspection.

Trading Standards visited the premises on Tuesday 4 July alongside brand representatives from Apple and Samsung who discovered several counterfeit items being sold including Airpod earphones, phone cases and USB cables.

Counterfeit goods are often unsafe and many fail to meet UK safety regulations which could lead to fires and injury.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “The safety of residents is pivotal to the work we do whether that is work around women’s safety to youth violence or protecting our residents from dodgy or dangerous electrical items.

“I hope this serves as a warning to other businesses that if you’re selling fake items, you will face enforcement and have your stock seized and where possible, we will prosecute.”

In total 1,137 items were seized and the premises is now under investigation with a view to facing being prosecuted for possession with intent to supply counterfeit goods contrary to the Trade Marks Act 1994, which carries a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine and 10 years imprisonment.