FAKE DVDs and counterfeit clothing worth £145,000 were seized in raids on Salford market.

Council and Customs officers and police swooped on the market at Pendleton. Operation Manhattan recovered 5,000 DVDs, CDs, various brands of clothing, 4,360 cigarettes and just over 1.5 kilos of tobacco.

A spokeswoman for Salford council said: "Investigations are still ongoing regarding six individuals on the market and four shops.

"The investigations relate to counterfeit goods, duty not paid and stolen goods."

Offences

Supt Ian Palmer, of Salford Police, said: "We need to stress that selling counterfeit goods is against the law.

"This is not a victimless crime and such offences threaten the livelihood of any law-abiding citizen."

Coun Keith Mann said: "This operation clearly demonstrates to counterfeit crooks that there is no hiding place.

"Customers who focus on getting a bargain may little realise they are helping fund the lifestyles of criminals. The authorities can't tackle this scourge alone - we need people to think before they buy."

The market has been a regular target for Trading Standards in the last decade. Some traders have been jailed, but it is still an outlet for fake goods.