TWO homes in Worcester have been raided and counterfeit goods seized as part of a crackdown on social media piracy.

Officers have taken down thousands of Facebook listings and seized dangerous goods.

Two residential properties in Worcester contained "a host" of counterfeit packaged computers, tablets, mobile phones, T-shirts, tracksuits and trainers, Trading Standards said.

National Trading Standards said Operation Jasper was the largest of its kind ever seen in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to combat piracy on social media.

Enforcement officers had raided 12 locations over the last few weeks and were still involved in 22 ongoing investigations targeting criminals who exploited social media channels to sell dangerous and counterfeit goods and commit copyright theft.

Officers had taken down 4,300 Facebook listings and 20 profiles, issued more than 200 warning letters and delivered 24 cease and desist letters to the homes of suspected Facebook sellers.

Among the dangerous or toxic goods seized were Android TV boxes with unsafe mains chargers and several hundred counterfeit Cinderella dolls containing high levels of toxic phthalates.

Business minister Nick Boles said: "Counterfeiting and piracy of trademarked and copyrighted materials harms legitimate businesses, threatens jobs and poses a real danger to consumers."

"These criminals rarely act alone and are often linked to serious organised crime groups. We want consumers to be aware of the wider consequences of buying fake products online as well as the risks they pose to their safety."

National Trading Standards chairman Lord Toby Harris said: "Operation Jasper has struck an important psychological blow against criminals who believe they can operate with impunity on social media platforms without getting caught.

"It shows we can track them down, enter their homes, seize their goods and computers and arrest and prosecute them, even if they are operating anonymously online."

Consumers are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected online rogue traders to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.