Fears over customer exploitation have inspired a crackdown on fake goods being sold on Sutton High Street.

With the busy Christmas period imminent and tomorrow being "Black Friday," trading standards officers and Sutton Police have targeted "several new arrivals" and "mobile phone accessory shops."

Sutton Police reported this week that a number of items were seized and some shop owners were ordered to remove certain items.

Ian Hicks, safer neighbourhoods inspector, said: "Selling counterfit goods is a crime. Illegitimate products can be unsafe and this sort of crime often has far reaching impacts that are not visible to the purchaser or the retailer.

"Through this operation, and working together with Sutton Council, we send a clear message that no crime will be tolerated in Sutton. We value the responsible retailers in Sutton Town Centre and understand their importance in helping us keep Sutton safe."

Christmas shoppers are advised that if something seems too good to be true then the product is likely to be fake or unsafe.

Lead councillor for trading standards, Cllr Nick Emmerson, said: "This operation highlights the problems from certain retailers in the high street.

"The council would always advise residents to shop wisely when looking for electronic goods.

"The sale of counterfeit goods not only harms the purchaser, but also the owners of the trademarks and the reputable traders in the high street."

Trading standards officers from both Kingston and Sutton Shared Environment Service and members of Sutton Safer Parks Team carried out the visits to Sutton High Street retailers.