Counterfeit versions of the new Belgian police uniform were found available on the Chinese e-commerce site AliExpress, but have since been removed, the federal police announced on Wednesday afternoon.
A polo shirt from the new Belgian police uniform had been on sale for a week on the Chinese online shopping site AliExpress, despite not yet being issued to officers, Het Nieuwsblad reported on Wednesday.
The new police uniform has been under discussion for three years and won't be seen in use for another two years. Yet, a replica polo shirt from this uniform is already being manufactured in China and sold on AliExpress for €9.39. Following the report, the federal police engaged a lawyer to address the issue.
Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden pictured during the presentation of the Integrated Police's new uniform, in Brussel, Friday 31 May 2024. Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
"Meanwhile, the counterfeit clothing has been removed from the online store," said federal police spokesperson An Berger. It remains unclear whether the removal was due to police intervention.
For the past week, the polo shirt from the new Belgian police uniform was on sale on AliExpress for €9.39, despite not yet being officially used by the police. The item was an exact replica of the polo shirt introduced on the federal police website on 31 May.
Police sources expressed concerns that officers, who can face long waits for new uniforms when their sizes are unavailable, might turn to these counterfeit Chinese versions.
There is also a fear that ill-intentioned individuals could use these shirts to impersonate police officers.
