Met sets up anti-piracy unit to track hawkers of illegal DVDs |
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Fri, 24 Feb 2006 16:20
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LONDON - The Metropolitan Police has launched a new squad to exclusively deal with the flourishing £300 million illegal pirated DVD's market. The thriving pirated market has become a nightmare for law enforcement agencies and even the latest Hollywood flicks are openly available on the market today.
The new force, which is a collaboration between Scotland Yard and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), will focus on illegal scams that cheat consumers. "Most illegal DVDs are now made in this country because of tighter controls at customs. In particular Chinese gangs make them to commercial quality in home base operations," said Raymond Leinster, the director general of FACT.
"Last year saw an increase of 136 per cent in seizures of the UK manufactured products. The sellers come to the UK with a pre-meditated plan to sell pirate DVDs. Our information suggests those who facilitate their travel are successful DVD sellers."
But Scotland Yard's Trevor Shepherd said that they would be focusing on the bigger picture and not just the delivery boys, "People are naive in thinking once the production system is in place that other types of crime are not run through it. You have vast amounts of electronic equipment, distribution and cash handlers. The end part of this criminal network stretches back to real gangsters," he added.
The number of gangs involved in the operation was not yet known, but even consumers should co-operate, Mr Leinster said. "People on the street tend to be supplied by criminal gangs, but UK nationals are the biggest consumers. Criminals are criminals, you cannot pin this on one nationality - it's market forces," he stressed. People who have information on these illegal vendors, but do not wish to make themselves known can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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