Fake football shirts, bracelets and trainer worth an estimated £1m have been seized from Camden High Street shops just weeks away from Christmas.

Around 4,000 counterfeit items were seized from four shops in Camden High Street on December 12 by the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police.

In one shop, officers seized fake football shirts worth an estimated loss to the industry of £69,800 and counterfeit designer bracelets thought to be worth an estimated loss of around £400,000, while £19,240 worth of counterfeit trainers were found in another shop.

The raid was supported by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), Camden Council’s Trading Standards, the Anti-Counterfeiting Group and Lighthouse Security.

Earlier this year, PIPCU officers seized fake designer clothing, handbags and watches worth an estimated loss to the industry of £5 million from two shops on Camden High Street, and arrested three people.

Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Masterson warned Christmas shoppers to be aware - and dodgy traders that the raids would continue.

He said: “Selling counterfeit goods is illegal, and we ask the public to think twice before buying bargain products as gifts in the run up to Christmas.

"While the cheaper price of these goods can be appealing, the reality is that counterfeiting can be a gateway to fund other organised crime.

"We’re working with brands and Trading Standards to make Camden a hostile place for counterfeiters to sell their wares, and where legitimate traders can thrive.”

Cllr Richard Olszewski, Camden Council's lead member for finance and cost of living, said: “We want all businesses that play by the rules to flourish in Camden – and we will not allow them to be undercut by traders that sell counterfeit goods.

"We also have a duty to protect Camden consumers, who are vulnerable to being ripped off or sold a poor-quality product.

"These regular raids send out a strong message – get your house in order and trade legally, or face a visit from the police and Trading Standards.

"You will be held to account for your dishonest actions.”