Almost £10,000 worth of counterfeit Paddington Bear merchandise has been seized in raids on shops along Oxford Street.
More than 550 tote bags and 200 t-shirts, as well as shot glasses, magnets, hoodies and signs were confiscated by Westminster Council as part of the operation on Saturday (October 19).
The unofficial merchandise was all emblazoned with images of Paddington Bear - Westminster’s famous furry character, created by children’s author Michael Bond in the 1950s.
The raids came days before Paddington in Peru - the third film in the hit Paddington series - was set to be released in cinemas.
Westminster City Council’s Trading Standard team stormed nine shops in the Oxford Street area, seizing £9,500 worth of Paddington-themed goods.
Representatives from Surelock, acting on behalf of Paddington & Co, were also there to help to identify items that illegally used trademarks and copyrighted material without the owner’s permission.
“When it comes to protecting Westminster's consumers the council provides more than the bear necessities,” a Westminster Council spokesperson quipped after the raids.
“This latest sting is part of a wider operation by the council targeting unscrupulous businesses on Europe’s premier shopping destination that continue to sell counterfeit goods or American candy or snacks containing banned ingredients.”
Leader of Westminster City Council, Cllr Adam Hug said: “Trying to con shoppers in Westminster with fake Paddington goods is bear-faced cheek we won’t stand for.
“Our job is to ensure shoppers get what they pay for. Big retail names are making a welcome return to Oxford Street and rogue traders have been a blemish on the area for too long.
“People trying to fleece Paddington fans have felt the long-arm of the paw, and so will anyone who tries to rip off customers in Westminster.”
Ron Harrison, Managing Director of Surelock said: “We are extremely grateful to the team, carrying out enforcement action at so many premises in one day, it was unprecedented, everyone worked very hard.”
In raids earlier this month, illegal sweets, cereal, snacks and drinks valued at more than £2,850 were seized from an American-style candy store on Oxford Street, where they were on sale.
More than 600 items, including Lucky Charms, Cheetos, Takis, KitKats, Lion Bars, Fanta cans and Jolly Ranchers, were seized in the operation by Westminster Council’s environmental health team, because they contained potentially harmful ingredients banned in the UK.
