Dodgy traders under spotlight in markets

Surveillance will be introduced to target dishonest stallholders at markets in Walsall as part of the borough council's newly-launched crackdown on rogue traders.

The authority is to spend thousands of pounds in a bid to combat illegal activity that has plagued Brownhills and Bescot markets over recent years, with counterfeit DVDs, CDs and clothing items seized. Bosses say crooked traders at markets are often linked to organised crime, and could be caught out if undercover officers are deployed.

An investment of £21,000 in the surveillance is to be made over the next year.