By Hayley Robinson

Fake bottles of Bollinger, imitation iPods and rip-off designer purses are just some of the goods seized by police after they were sold to shoppers in Sittingbourne town centre last month.

The discovery was made as part of a Christmas police initiative to crack down on counterfeit goods, purse thefts and other crimes in the town centre.

Sittingbourne town beat officer Sgt Jason Hedges says shoppers need to be on their guard.

He said: "If something looks too good to be true it probably is.

"The Magnums of Bollinger were being sold for £25 from of the back of a van in the High Street.

At first glance the iPod Nanos looked genuine but they were cheap imitations dressed up well.

"The purses were all identical apart from the logos."

In another incident, a woman bought a pair of earrings believing them to be gold. She paid £50 for the them, but they turned out to be almost worthless metal.

Sgt Hedges said: "It just goes to show that all that glitters is not gold.

"If you are offered cheap goods they are probably stolen or cheap imitations.

"Don’t be pressured into buying anything. Politely say ‘no’ and phone the police.

"High visibility patrols will be out and about in the centre of Sittingbourne, proactively seeking out lawbreakers in the run-up to Christmas.

"We also want shoppers to be on their guard against counterfeit goods and pickpockets.

"We are not seeing a particular problem with purse thefts this year but it is always worth being aware of the possibility of it happening.

"Keep your purse at the bottom of your handbag and keep your bag zipped.

"Don’t leave bags on shopping trolleys or pushchairs and be careful not to be drawn into conversations with strangers that might distract you while shopping,"

The team is working closely with retailers via Swale Safe – a business crime reduction partnership between shops and businesses, Kent Police and Swale Borough
Council.

Members are linked via radio to each other, police and the CCTV control centre.

Anyone with any information about crime in the town centre is asked to contact Sgt Hedges on 01795 419119.

A 44-year-old man, from Greenhithe, was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

He was bailed until January 21, 2010.