Shoppers warned over 'fake and unsafe' toys

Parents have been warned to be on the look out for counterfeit toys in the run-up to Christmas after trading standards officers seized a large number of "fake and unsafe" items.

North Yorkshire Council said the goods, including counterfeit Labubu dolls, had been recovered from several retail premises in the Scarborough and Whitby area.

Head of trading standards Jo Boutflower said fake toys posed a risk to people as they "will not have been through the rigorous safety testing required of genuine products".

She said issues to look out for include small parts becoming detached, cords or ties which could cause strangulation and toy jewellery that could contain heavy metals.

Ms Boutflower said: "When online, be cautious about marketplaces and auction sites.

"You should check that you know who you are dealing with and look out for sellers who say they are in the UK but may not be.

"Some overseas sellers are using artificial intelligence to create the impression they have a UK high street presence and will use a British name like 'Smith & Jones' as their brand."

The council also warned shoppers about pop-up shops, as they were unlikely to be there again if a faulty product needs to be returned.

Councillor Richard Foster, whose responsibilities include trading standards, said: "This operation sends a timely reminder to both those who bring these substandard toys into our county and to parents.

"We will not hesitate to take action when we discover operations like this, and parents should be aware of the potential risk they are presenting to their children if they buy from unscrupulous retailers.

"We want families to enjoy a safe and happy Christmas, so it's important to check that toys meet safety standards and are purchased from reputable sellers."

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