Counterfeit goods and air weapons among items seized in Appleby

A joint operation between Cumbria Police and Westmorland and Furness Trading Standards on the first day of Appleby Horse Fair (4 June) resulted in counterfeit items and air weapons being recovered.

The seizure took place on Thursday morning after a van was stopped on its way to the Trading Fields at Appleby.

Among the items seized were dozens of realistic-looking air weapons, along with BB pellets.

In addition, vapes and children’s toys were seized, alongside other items.

Detective Superintendent Dan St Quintin, Police Gold Commander for Appleby Horse Fair, said: “Police and Trading Standards will be working closely during the event.

“Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to bring items such as air weapons, imitation firearms, knives or other such items to sell at the event can expect to have such goods seized and be ejected from the area.”

Catherine Hornby, Trading Standards Manager for Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “We’re pleased that this successful joint operation with the police, working on shared intelligence from outside the area, has prevented counterfeit goods from reaching the market fields at Appleby Horse Fair and resulted in the seizure of a number of unsafe items.”