Undated handout photo issued by Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) of counterfeit Paddington Bear goods seized by Kensington and Chelsea Council's trading standards officers. Nearly 2,000 fake Paddington Bear goods were seized in the very street where scenes from the Paddington film franchise were filmed in Portobello Road, as well as in Earls Court Road. Counterfeit items worth an estimated value of ??15,000 included tote bags, magnets, shot glasses, thimbles and t-shirts were found. Issue date: Friday November 8, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story CRIME Paddington. Photo credit should read: RBKC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Nearly 2,000 fake Paddington Bear goods were seized in the very street where scenes from the Paddington film franchise were filmed (Picture: RBKC/PA Wire)

More than 2,000 pieces of fake Paddington Bear merch have been seized in London following a crackdown on counterfeit merchandise.

The items, worth more than £15,000, have been confiscated from shops across Notting Hill where scenes from the Paddington Bear film franchise were filmed.

It comes as the third film in the franchise – Paddington In Peru – finally arrives in cinemas, with an all-star cast featuring Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and the voice of Ben Whishaw.

A trading standards raid in Portobello Road recovered 1,500 fakes, including tote bags that were being sold for £10 each.

A further 400 rip-offs were seized from five shops in Earl’s Court Road on Wednesday, including 174 magnets, 138 tote bags, 69 shot glasses, 19 packs of playing cards, 11 thimbles and nine spoon rests.

Officials from Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea said there has been a sharp rise in illegal sales of counterfeit merchandise ahead of the release of Paddington In Peru on Friday, the third film in the franchise.

Councillor Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning and public realm for the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea said: ‘Portobello Road is known for its markets, shops and vibrant atmosphere and our trading standards team are “bearing down” and taking swift action against sellers who are undermining legitimate businesses in our borough.

Counterfeited Paddington Bear merch
Counterfeit items worth an estimated value of included tote bags, magnets, shot glasses, thimbles and t-shirts (Picture: RBKC/PA Wire)

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‘Partnership working with trade mark representatives has resulted in an operation seizing nearly 2,000 fake goods and sends out a clear message to unscrupulous businesses that we will come after you.’

The council’s trading standards team worked together with trade mark representatives from Surelock, who previously identified shops selling fakes and joined the council on the raids.

The confiscated fakes will be destroyed and the business owners will face formal action, the council said.

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