08/05/2006

Illegal goods trade reaches nearly £1bn in UK

Britons have bought nearly £1 billion worth of goods illegally in pubs and bars, according to research by Halifax Home Insurance.

Around 12% of people admitted to purchasing items on the black market, spending an average of £168 each, the Halifax survey of more than 1,000 people found.

Two-thirds of those surveyed also said that they would also knowingly buy stolen goods, with men being more than twice as likely to illegally purchase things than women.

DVDs and CDs were the most likely items to be purchased, followed by clothing, mobile phones, jewellery and electrical goods.

Vicky Emmott, spokeswoman for Halifax Home Insurance, said: "Millions of Britons may be unwittingly fuelling a cycle of theft.

"People should be aware that this is not a victimless crime, their pursuit of a bargain is part of the reason burglary remains a widespread social problem."

(KMcA)

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