Pirates used to fight poverty

Trading standards officer Chris Wilson (right) handing goods over to Roland Warren from the His Church charity

Counterfeit DVDs and CDs seized from Hull's markets are being used to help poverty-stricken people in Africa.
The thousands of fake goods, seized by Hull City Council's trading standards officers, are to be turned into granules using a special machine before being sold for recycling purposes.
The money raised will be donated to the Cambridgeshire-based charity His Church, and will be used to help pay for shipping and administration costs to send clothing and food to Third World countries each year.
Counterfeit clothing seized from Hull markets is also being sent to Africa by the charity – after fake logos have been removed.
And 20 computers, seized in the city after being used in the production of fake DVDs and CDs, are also being sent after having their hard drives wiped.
"It's good that we can help under-privileged people at the same time as ridding the streets of counterfeit goods," says trading standards officer Mike Pindar.
"We are very much aware of environmental issues so most of the goods we seize are recycled – and only a very small amount goes into landfill."
The members of His Church helped Hull residents during last year's floods by distributing essential supplies to hundreds of flood victims.
Charity members visited flooded housing estates with truck loads of cleaning detergents, food and clothing for those most affected by the flood water.
"We are delighted to continue our close relationship with Hull City Council," said charity coordinator Richard Humphrey.
"By working together with forward-thinking councils like Hull, we improve and protect the environment through managed recycling, and bring genuine hope to the people who receive these redistributed products."

For more information about the work of Hull City Council's trading standards team visit www.hullcc.gov.uk or call 300300.