Issue - meetings

            The Board received a presentation from Mr Thompson, Trading Standards Officer, which identified the issues related to counterfeit/illicit goods and illustrated the work of trading standards when dealing with criminality across Halton. The report highlighted:-

·         Illicit (smuggled) goods i.e. tobacco imported into the UK illegally and thereby breaching taxation legislation;

·         Legislative Duty to Enforce;

·         What were counterfeit and illicit goods;

·         Information on the Victims of counterfeit/illicit goods;

·         The types of counterfeiters involved, essentially a three tier system in place which included, local criminals, regional criminals and serious organised crime groups (UK/international); and

·         The role of Halton Trading Standards and recent cases in the Halton area.

            On behalf of the Board, the Chair, thanked Mr Thompson for his informative presentation and the success the Team had achieved in 2016.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.