A 36-year-old man has been arrested and counterfeit DVDs seized after police received a radio tip-off and assistance from a CCTV crew.

At about around 4pm on Tuesday Sittingbourne Town Centre Constable, PC Jason Hedges was on patrol when he received a report via the Swale safe radio network that a man was allegedly selling counterfeit DVDs.

CCTV operatives used the high street cameras to locate the suspect and information was received that he was in a pub.

PC Hedges went to the pub and found the suspect. He arrested him on suspicion of possessing counterfeit DVDs and illegal entry. Of the 307 items seized 74 were of an offensive nature.

PC Hedges said: “This action would not have been possible without the help from both the Swale Safe radio network and CCTV operatives.

"If it were not for this assistance these illegal goods may have been passed onto unsuitable audiences, and that would not have been acceptable.

"I would like licensees to be aware of this trade in illegal goods and ensure that their establishment does not facilitate their sale. We have passed details of this investigation to the Federation Against Copyright Theft so they can look into the matter further.”

"We have passed details of this investigation to the Federation Against Copyright Theft so they can look into the matter further."

Raymond Leinster, director general of the Federation Against Copyright Theft, stressed: "Organised criminal networks are turning to DVD piracy as a means of making large profits and they have no regard for the content of the material they are selling or who they sell to.

"In this instance in Kent, the material was illegal pornography and other obscene images being openly sold in pubs and on the street. "members of public need to be aware that the purchase of pirate DVDs from street sellers funds the sale of pornographic and offensive material in their local communities.”

To report film piracy call the Piracy Hotline 0845 60 34567 or go to www.fact-uk.org.uk

* The 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing counterfeit goods and illegal entry is currently in police custody.