Beware counterfeit Olympic goods as torch relay passes through East Sussex

Tens of thousands of people are expected to line the route throughout the county when the Olympic flame travels through East Sussex from July 16 to 18. It will stay overnight in Brighton on July 16 and in Hastings on July 17 where hip hop sensations Rizzle Kicks will perform in front of 3,000 fans at The Stade as part of the celebrations. A cauldron will be lit from the Olympic flame, marking the end of the day’s proceedings.

The relay will also pass through Crowborough, Lewes, Eastbourne, Pevensey Bay, Bexhill, St Leonards, Rye and the Seven Sisters.

But amid the carnival atmosphere, East Sussex Trading Standards has delivered a sobering note about the danger of counterfeit goods.

“The relay is a major event in the run up to the Olympic Games and we want to help local traders to make the most of the opportunity and increase sales,” they said in a statement. 

“We are working with them to make sure that they stock official London 2012 products and don’t fall victim to suppliers offering counterfeit and potentially dangerous goods.”

Trading Standards officers will be issuing advice leaflets to traders along the torch route, as well as around the evening celebrations at The Stade in Hastings.

Their advice is that people need to watch out for fake goods that may be offered for sale along the route. To do this, they should examine the quality of the product before handing over their money – tell-tale signs of counterfeit goods include poor printing on labels and poor finishing. Folk should also be wary of advertising and unsolicited mail which may claim an association with the Olympic Games