Newham has the third highest number of counterfeit alcohol seizures in the UK, according to newly published data.

According to local authority figures, there have been 17 seizures of illegal alcohol in the borough between July 2010 and August 2011, including vodka containing nail varnish.

This number was only beaten by the London Boroughs of Hillingdon (19) and Havering (22).

Three seizures were made of counterfeit clothing goods, two were made of consumer electronic goods, only one instance of counterfeit tobacco was recorded, but 14 seizures fell into the “Other” category.

Following a national trend, the data claims that alcohol seizure in particular has increased by 510 per cent in the past year.

Newham Council’s Cllr Ian Corbett Executive Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “We are one of the most proactive councils in the country in tackling crime and anti social behaviour, which in any form is totally unacceptable. “This includes counterfeit alcohol - which means criminals defrauding the state by not paying duty. This impacts on the reputable shopkeepers who follow the law, because they are being illegally undercut.

“We want to send a strong signal to shopkeepers: break the law and pay the price.

“Some counterfeit alcohol is a risk to people’s health as it has not been properly produced. Some fake vodka we have seized has even contained nail varnish. Anyone who is suspicious should contact our officers immediately.”

Members of the public spotting these items should contact Consumer Direct on 01622 626520 or www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

The statistics were obtained from a Freedom of Information request submitted by E&T magazine.