Crackdown on Major Fake Goods Hub in Southall
Operation Linchpin sees raids operation centred at Charles House
Multiple agencies were involved in the raid. Picture: Ealing Council
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September 14, 2026
A major crackdown on counterfeit trading in Southall has begun, with Ealing Council launching a new multi-agency taskforce to tackle one of the UK’s biggest centres for the importation and distribution of fake and unsafe goods.
The industrial estate known locally as Charles House, on Bridge Road in Southall, has long been associated with illegal wholesalers supplying counterfeit and dangerous products to markets and high streets across the country. Now, Ealing Council’s trading standards team—supported by National Trading Standards and a wide network of enforcement partners—has significantly stepped up action to shut down the criminal activity.
The new initiative, Operation Linchpin, brings together officers from the Metropolitan Police, City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Group, HM Revenue and Customs, Border Force, and trading standards teams from eight other councils. The operation combines inspections, enforcement and education to disrupt long-standing illegal trading and protect both consumers and legitimate businesses.
The operation began with two major raids. The most recent took place on Thursday 3 September, when officers descended on businesses in Grand Union Enterprise Park. More than 20 police officers joined specialist teams to carry out inspections, supported by enforcement staff from Bromley, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Lewisham, Southwark, Greenwich, Rochdale and Hertfordshire.
During the raid, officers seized 18.5 tonnes of illicit, unsafe and non-compliant goods—enough to fill a large lorry. The haul included dangerous vapes, counterfeit cosmetics and unsafe toys destined for sale across the UK. HMRC also seized a significant quantity of non-duty-paid shisha tobacco. Investigations are ongoing.
Previous visits to the site have seen traders quickly pull down shutters to block inspections. This time, officers arrived prepared, using mechanical equipment to gain entry and recover illegal goods.
The raid followed an earlier unannounced inspection on 18 August, when more than 13,500 unsafe counterfeit toys were seized from a wholesaler at Charles House. The toys lacked CE or UKCA safety markings, had no manufacturer or importer details, and carried unauthorised versions of well-known trademarks including Avengers, Hello Kitty and Lilo & Stitch. Selling unsafe or counterfeit goods carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison and unlimited fines.
A previous raid in February uncovered around 15,000 poor-quality and potentially dangerous Labubu dolls, among other items.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, cabinet member for decent living incomes, said Operation Linchpin demonstrates the council’s determination to protect residents and legitimate traders.
“Operation Linchpin shows that we are serious about stopping criminal traders who put shoppers at risk and damage honest businesses,” she said. “Charles House has been a major part of the counterfeit goods industry across the country for many years, and several other forms of criminality have also been linked to the site. Anyone involved in selling counterfeit or dangerous products at Charles House should be under no illusion. This is not a one-off operation.”
Police Sergeant Patrick McDonagh, Southall Neighbourhood Sergeant for Norwood Green & Dormers Wells, praised the partnership effort.
“This operation demonstrates the strength of partnership working in tackling criminality and protecting our communities,” he said. “Southall deserves to be a place where residents feel safe and legitimate businesses can thrive. By removing illegal goods and disrupting those who profit from crime, we are sending a clear message that this type of activity will not be tolerated.”
Operation Linchpin will continue in the coming months, with further inspections and enforcement planned as agencies work together to dismantle the counterfeit supply chain centred on Charles House.
Residents who suspect fraud or illegal trading in Ealing can report it online or call the council’s anti-fraud hotline on 020 8753 1273.
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