POLICE officers' homes have been raided as part of an investigation into the alleged sale of counterfeit DVDs and CDs at Lancashire stations.

It is believed that several serving PCs and a civilian member of staff have been suspended following the raids. One person not employed by the force has been arrested and released pending further inquiries.

Officers seized items believed to be counterfeit goods, including DVDs and music CDs, for examination.

Copyright specialists and members of the force's professional standards department are involved in the inquiry.

The police officers are based in Lancashire Constabulary's Pennine Division, which covers Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

But it is thought the investigation has looked at the possibility that the DVDs and CDs were sold to other officers at other police stations throughout the county.

The home of the civilian member of Lancashire Constabulary staff was one of those raided.

A police spokesman said: "We can confirm search warrants were executed at several addresses in Pennine Division.

"Officers from Lancashire Constabulary's professional standards department, together with officials from the mechanical copyright protection society, carried out searches at each of the premises under copyright legislation, looking for counterfeit goods.

"Several of the addresses were the homes of serving Lancashire constables and a member of staff.

"Officers took away items believed to be counterfeit goods, including DVDs and music CDs, for examination.

"One member of the public was arrested and released pending further inquiries."

Britain's illegal trade in bootleg goods is said to cost the Treasury almost £9billion a year.

Modern computers with disc burning software have helped the business boom.