£10,000 of fake designer bags and watches seized at market

More than £10,000 of fake designer goods have been seized from a market in north London.

Imitation diamond-encrusted watches and Gucci handbags were found at two stalls in Harrow.

Brent and Harrow council trading standards officers recovered a haul including nearly 70 counterfeit Versace and Dolce and Gabbana leather belts being offered at knock-down prices.

They also found scores of imitation handbags carrying brand names including Chloe, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton and Burberry, at two stalls in Harrow town centre market. In addition council officers seized more than 70 fake watches, including copies of diamond-studded Rolexes and Breitling models.

Three men aged 28, 38 and 55 are being questioned on suspicion of fraud. A Harrow council spokesman said: "The quality of these copies ranged from bad to just about okay. A lot of this stuff is currently coming from Thailand and container lorries are coming into London every week with it."

It is believed the entire consignment would have cost the market traders about £500 to buy.

Susan Hall, Harrow's portfolio holder for the environment, said: "Buying these goods supports a criminal industry."