183 counterfeit DVDs and tobacco dumped in street

Officers in Southend were carrying out patrols through the town’s high street when they spotted a woman who was selling a range of illegal goods in London Road.

The woman was stood outside of Sainsbury’s offering the goods to customers as they were walking out of the supermarket.

A Southend PCSO saw the woman as she was trying to sell the goods.

The woman quickly fled the scene after she noticed the officer, dropping a bag filled with the items and leaving behind a huge quantity of tobacco, as well as a small knife.

Acting Sgt David Gardiner, from the Southend community policing team, said: “No arrests were made during the incident, one of our PCSOs was on patrol in the town centre, and attended the incident where a female suspect was seen selling the large quantity of DVDs.

“She made off without the goods upon the officer’s arrival and they have been seized by our officers.”

A total of 183 counterfeit DVDs were found inside the bag, as well as a collection of 12 pouches of rolling tobacco, and five packets of cigarettes.

The goods appeared to have been imported from another country as their health warnings were not in English.

Police are still trying to trace the woman in connection with the incident in Southend town centre on Saturday.

Acting Sgt Gardiner has said the items will handed over to Southend’s Trading Standards team and will then be destroyed.

Essex Police released a statement following the incident.

A police spokesman said: “Police were contacted on the afternoon of Saturday, February 10 with reports of a woman selling suspected counterfeit goods outside Sainsbury’s in London Road, Southend.

“Officers found a bag containing 183 counterfeit DVD films, a quantity of tobacco believed to be worth a three figure sum, and a knife.

“The woman was not located.

“The items have been seized and Trading Standards have been contacted.

“Anyone with any information about counterfeit items should contact Essex Police or Trading Standards.”