“Crack down, smack down, you’re busted!” OK, perhaps not you personally. But if someone you know is pirating DVDs, might be best to stay clear from them for the next few months to be safe…

A new police squad targeting the UK’s illegal trade in pirated DVDs, which is estimated to earn criminals £300m a year, was launched today.

Hawkers of pirated DVDs - some of Hollywood movies still showing in cinemas - are an increasingly familiar sight in pubs and at markets. There is also a growing illegal internet market in pirated DVDs.

Experts say that, until around a year ago, the DVDs were mainly being made in the Far East and shipped to the UK. [Read the rest]

Tags: uk, dvd piracy, police bust, police squad