South Ayrshire Council Trading Standards used Ayr’s Kyle Centre to promote their ‘Fake Free Ayrshire’ campaign on Thursday.  Officers from Trading Standards had two stalls, one of which was used to run a competition with great prizes such as Playstation 2’s, Microsoft products, games, films and music CDs.  The second stall was set up to look like a dodgy street trader “selling” fake goods – as well as the obligatory sports socks and disposable lighters!

South Ayrshire Council's Community Safety Convener, Councillor Hugh Hunter who visited the stall said, “These stalls were great fun and it was an effective way to make a very serious point.  The Fake Free Ayrshire initiative involves all three Ayrshire Councils and a variety of means to target these sellers and prevent them being able to sell their goods in the area.  Sellers of fake goods range from organised criminal gangs, to market traders, illegal hawkers selling from pub to pub, to people copying in their own home and selling to their neighbours or employees at work.  They all affect local jobs and we will continue to target them until they desist from these illegal practices.”

Councillor Hunter added, “The sale of fake goods in Ayrshire has a direct effect on local jobs as traders struggle to compete with criminals who merely cream off the profit without putting anything back into the community. We are working closely with Strathclyde Police Financial Investigations Officers to ensure these criminals are stripped of any assets as well as facing criminal charges.”

Dave Rose, Manager of the Kyle Centre, made the draw for the prizes at the end of the display.  The lucky winner of the first prize was Eryn Bunyen from Mossblown who will shortly be receiving a Sony Playstation 2. The winners of the other prizes are also being contacted.

Fake Free Ayrshire is a joint initiative between the 3 Ayrshire Trading Standards Services, trade representative bodies and local traders.  It seeks to combat the threat of counterfeiting in a concerted fashion by coordinating enforcement action such as market and home factory raids as well as educating the public on the problems associated with counterfeiting.

Pictured is Councillor Hunter (centre) examining a range of fake goods at the display along with Brian Scobie (left) from Trading Standards.

December 2006