Trading Standards officers from Barking and Dagenham Council have seized thousands of pounds’ worth of counterfeit and unsafe goods from a storage facility in Barking, following a targeted inspection.

The haul included fake Oral-B toothbrush heads, Samsung batteries, Apple-branded products, and counterfeit SanDisk and Kingston SD cards - items that pose serious risks to consumer safety. Counterfeit electrical goods and accessories can overheat, catch fire, or fail to meet basic safety standards, putting lives at risk.

The inspection took place on Tuesday 16 December and was supported by brand representatives from Procter & Gamble, whose intelligence and evidence formed the basis for enforcement action. Further investigations are ongoing.

Counterfeit goods can endanger public health and safety and are often linked to organised crime networks, child labour, and human trafficking.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “Selling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime. These products can be dangerous, and the trade in fakes often funds organised crime and exploitation. 

“We will continue to work with brand owners and enforcement partners to protect consumers and keep unsafe goods out of our borough.”

If residents suspect a shop is selling counterfeit goods, they should report it to Trading Standards via email: tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk.