Fake designer clothing seized in Islington has been given to a charity that supports disadvantaged people.
Brand new counterfeits of top-end brands - worth more than £500,000 if genuine - were seized during enforcement by Islington Council's trading standards team.
Legal action over the fakes, which included brands such as Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Victoria Beckham, has now ended and instead of being thrown out the clothes have been put to good use with a charity which provides ethical solutions for counterfeit clothing.
Volunteers from the charity will remove the fake logos so the clothes can be given away to people in need. Some will be brought back to Islington, and others given away across Britain and overseas.
Cllr Paul Smith, Islington Council's executive member for environment, said: "These clothes were intended to make money for criminals - but instead they will be reworked and given to deserving homes.
"Some will come back to Islington, directly benefiting the community.
"Not only have these counterfeit clothes been taken off the streets, they will now be helping some of our poorest people."
Richard Humphrey, senior coordinator for national charity His Church, said: "We really appreciate the donation.
"It is wonderful that these are being taken from the hands of criminals and used to help some of the most vulnerable people in Islington, and around the world."
"These clothes will make a real difference. Not only will it not be thrown away, it will provide brand new clothes for people who genuinely need them.
Most of the clothes were seized during a raid by the council's Trading Standards team on storage units in Holloway Road in November 2007.
It led to a prosecution of businessman Swee Chew, 42, of Wylde Place, Palmers Green, who was given a three-year prison sentence in May for a series of trademark offences.
Some items that were not suitable for reworking, such as some fake handbags, have been donated to the Metropolitan Police for use in dog training work.
Page Last Updated: 05 August 2010