Dodgy DVD seller tried to sell to Lambeth trading standards

7:30am Wednesday 17th December 2008

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A hapless DVD seller picked the wrong customers when he tried to flog dodgy goods to punters in a Streatham pub where Trading Standards officers were having their Christmas lunch.

The Lambeth Council officers, who have responsibility for cracking down on counterfeit sales, were tucking into their turkey in the Rose and Crown pub in Crown Lane last Thursday when the man approached carrying a bag of fake DVDs.

But never off duty, the officers showed the man their identification and seized around 300 counterfeit disks and his mobile phone.

The council said the man would be questioned by Trading Standards officers and police this week.

Ray Bouch, senior Trading Standards officer, said: “This guy definitely picked the wrong customers. He looked a bit shocked to say the least when we produced our ID and it dawned on him who we were.

“The afternoon turned into something of a working lunch for us.

"Our turkey went a bit cold while we were questioning him and confiscating his goods, but it’s our job to get these things off the streets.”

The DVDs being offered for sale included Hollywood titles as well as illegal pornography.

People can report illegal activity by emailing tradingstandards@lambeth.gov.uk or calling 020 7926 6102.