1,500 fake DVDs seized in raid in Nelson

4:36pm Thursday 15th May 2008

TWO men have been arrested after 1,500 fake DVDs were seized from a shop by police and trading standards officers.

The DVDs, of this summer's blockbusters such as the Ironman and Superhero as well as Bollywood films, were found in a storeroom during a raid at A.K. Videos in Leeds Road, Nelson.

Trading standards and police officers said they searched the store after they were received tip-offs from the public.

They suspect the DVDs were being sold for £1.50.

But a man who said he was the owner of the store but declined to give his name said the DVDs were in the storeroom when he bought the shop and that he regretted selling them.

Inspector Russ Proctor said there had been a number of calls about the store.

He said: "We had received complaints around parking, the shop being open late at night and there was also information from Crime-stoppers.

"While we were there we seized the counterfeit DVDs.

"We suspect they were being sold from the premises.

"This was a Trading Standards operation which we supported."

After the raid on Tuesday at 5.15pm, a 24-year-old Nelson man and a 32-year-old Halifax man were arrested on suspicion of offences under The Copyright, Design and Patents Act as well as possible infringements against the Trademarks Act 1933.

Trading standards officer Julie Waddington said: "If we get information that people are counterfeiting and copying discs, films and music and selling it we will act on it.

"The titles include some films which are out in the cinema and some that have not yet been released."

The owner of the shop said the DVDs, said: "I do regret selling the DVDs but they were left behind. I won't be selling anymore."

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