(Source: Securingindustry.com)
The annual report on intellectual property (IP) crimes by UK Trading Standards for 2022-2023 highlighted that illicit cigarettes and tobacco were the most investigated product categories, identified by 80% of responding authorities.
Other frequently investigated items included clothing (65%), electronic vaping devices (over 40%), footwear, and electrical goods (both around 30%). Investigations into cosmetics and makeup have decreased significantly since 2018.
Retail outlets were identified by over 80% of authorities as the primary locations for IP crime investigations, with a decline in the significance of social media and websites. The report also included identity theft for the first time, noting its connection to IP crime, often carried out by organized criminal networks.
