SUSPECTED fake goods worth an estimated £200,000 were seized in West Fife just days before Christmas.

The goods which could have gone under our Christmas trees were found in a Dunfermline retail premise and have now been sent off for examination.

They were seized last month in a joint operation involving Fife Trading Standards and Police Scotland.

The shop was selling designer branded clothing, footwear, cosmetics, jewellery and electrical items and the items believed to be counterfeit were almost certainly destined to be sold to Fife consumers.

As a result of the raid, one person was detained by Police and released after questioning and enquiries are on-going.

A person found guilty of committing an offence under the Trade Marks Act can face a substantial fine and/or imprisonment.

Dawn Adamson, Trading Standards Service Manager, was unable to say where exactly the raid took place but warned shoppers to take care.

“Fake goods are not the bargain they may first appear to be. As well as the financial harm caused to legitimate businesses, there can be hidden dangers associated with fake products," she said.

"There is no way of knowing what ingredients fake cosmetics contain. Consumers need to be protected which is why there are stringent safety requirements for products designed to be applied to the skin.

"Similarly, electrical goods must conform to safety standards to ensure consumers are not put in danger. A fake electrical item may work initially, but how safe is its wiring or plug?"

Dawn urged West Fifers not to put themselves or their families in danger by buying products they suspect may be fake. "If in doubt about a product, we would always advise you to buy from a trusted source to help keep you safe and to make sure you are paying for the genuine product," she added.

Information on counterfeiting in Fife can be reported to Trading Standards online at www.fifedirect.org.uk/tradingstandards.

Information and advice on consumer rights is available from Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506 or at www.adviceguide.org.uk/scotland where you can also make an online complaint or enquiry.