Latest news with #CatherineHornby
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
More than £38,000 worth of counterfeit goods seized at Appleby Horse Fair
More than £38,000 worth of counterfeit goods have been seized from this year's Appleby Horse Fair. The items were found by trading standards officers from Westmorland and Furness Council, supported by Cumbria Police and the Anti-Counterfeiting Group. Trading Standards focussed their resources on the market traders who were selling products which could potentially pose a safety risk, such as counterfeit sunglasses. Counterfeit Cartier products (Image: Supplied) Catherine Hornby, trading standards manager at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: "Over £500,000 of unsafe counterfeit goods were seized at last year's fair. "That the figure is lower this year suggests that the strong, zero-tolerance message that was sent out was heard and understood by the majority of traders on the market fields. "However, we aren't complacent and we will continue to work with our partners to monitor the market fields at next year's fair and we won't hesitate to take enforcement action against anyone selling unsafe counterfeit goods. "Unfortunately, consumers are often unaware of the health risks involved in using counterfeit goods, as fake products haven't been put through the same rigorous safety standards that genuine goods have. "Counterfeit sunglasses offer no ultraviolet protection, leaving the wearer at serious risk of eye damage. "I would strongly advise members of the public to refrain from buying counterfeit goods. "Not only that, but by buying counterfeit goods, consumers are supporting illegal and criminal trades." Counterfeit Prada products (Image: Supplied) The seized sunglasses carried fake branding, including Chanel, Ray-Ban, Celine, Prada, and Cartier. There was drop in the number of stalls at this year's fair, with 231 in total, including 25 food stalls. This is down from 268 in 2024 and well below the record high of 276 in 2016. Superintendent Dan St Quintin, Cumbria Police gold commander for Appleby Horse Fair 2024, said: "Cumbria Police officers worked in support of Trading Standards as part of our work to help keep people safe – in this case through targeting people selling potentially unsafe goods. "This activity is part of the multi-agency partnership approach which we will continue at future Appleby Horse Fairs." Phil Lewis, director general of The Anti-Counterfeiting Group, said: 'We highly commend Westmorland and Furness Council Trading Standards team for their commitment to protecting consumers by removing counterfeit and potentially dangerous goods from this high profile event. "The trade in fakes attacks the integrity of legitimate businesses and funds further criminality. "We urge consumers to play a crucial role in combating this trade by making informed purchasing decisions to protect their families." Anyone with information about the sale of counterfeit items is urged to contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133, or the police on 101. Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Council warn over 'harmful' fakes sold at Appleby Fair market
Market traders at an annual fair are being asked to check their goods are genuine and safe, after more than £500,000-worth of fake items were seized during last year's goods sold during the 2024 Appleby Horse Fair, in Cumbria, included alcohol, tobacco, vapes, perfumes, cosmetics and electrical and Furness Council's Trading Standards manager, Catherine Hornby, warned those shopping at the market may not be aware buying fake goods could be "harmful".Billy Welch, spokesperson for the Gypsy and traveller community, pointed out the adjoining market is not connected to the traditional horse fair, but said the majority of its traders sell genuine products. "There are the odd travellers who set up and sell pots, but there are a lot there from all walks of life," said Mr said "80- 90% of people on the stalls are from the settled community". "The large majority of the travellers are on Fair Hill," he added. This year's Appleby Horse Fair - now in its 249th year - takes place between 5-11 annual event is one of the largest gatherings for Gypsies and travellers in Europe, with its key focus being the sale and showing of horses. The adjoining market is separately organised by a local farmer, Jimmy Winter. The BBC has contacted Mr Winter for comment. 'Serious harm' Ms Hornby said market traders should purchase their goods from reputable suppliers and obtain written assurances the products are last year's fair, 2,500 fake sunglasses were uncovered, along with nearly 200 bottles of perfume with counterfeit Cartier, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Dior trademarks. Toys and electrical goods should be marked with the name and address of the manufacturer, and should have a serial number. They should also carry the UKCA or CE mark, which offers assurances of authenticity and safety."The risk of serious harm from counterfeit goods - such as sunglasses that don't provide full UV protection, or from untested cosmetics, perfumes and electrical goods - are obvious," she said."At best you will waste your money on a sub-standard product, at worst you may purchase something that is harmful." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
