TRADERS say their livelihoods are being “adversely affected” after years of unfair competition from criminals selling counterfeit goods at a market in Wembley.

One Brent trader, who wishes to remain anonymous, sent a letter to the Harrow Times claiming at least 95 per cent of traders sell imitation clothes, handbags and shoes at the Sunday market held in the car park at Wembley Stadium.

The letter reads: “We are the voice of the many local market traders whose livelihoods are being adversely affected by the countless fake goods which are openly sold at the market...

“This is having a disastrous impact on our trade to the extent that some traders have been forced to close their business and many businesses are running at a loss. We need to have this matter investigated.”

The anonymous trader, who does not have a stall at the market, says the problem has been going on for more than seven years and has witnessed people arriving in coaches from all over the United Kingdom to purchase the fake goods.

The letter continues: “We understand there is too much money and some very powerful people involved in the trade of counterfeit goods. We also recognise that it may be difficult to completely stop this illegal trade, as this has been an ongoing problem for many years, but we demand that action is taken now and expect that the relevant authorities use all the powers available to them and the full force of the judicial system to alleviate this very serious problem.”

Brent Council said it regularly receives complaints about counterfeit goods being sold at the market and is working to combat the problem.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “Officers from Brent and Harrow Trading Standards Service regularly investigate these sales.

"Our work includes carrying out covert work at the market to identify those involved. This evidence is then used to try and identify trader's vehicles, home addresses and storage units to try and thoroughly clamp down on the whole of the illegal operation.”

In 2010 the council concluded legal proceedings against seven Wembley market traders and four more in 2011.

Police also say they are tackling the illegal sales. A spokeswoman for Brent police said: “Tokyngton Safer Neighbourhoods Team recently conducted an operation to target this. Eight people were arrested and counterfeit DVDs were seized. Four of those pleaded guilty and were sentenced at court and four received cautions.”

The Harrow Times is waiting for a response from Wendy Fair Markets which runs the market.