4,600 Fake and unsafe toys worth £55,000 seized in Salford

Trading Standards Officers at Salford City Council have seized over 4,600 counterfeit and unsafe toys in the last month from wholesalers and retailers across the city with an estimated value of £55,000 that could have left children exposed to unsafe, poor-quality products.

The operation reflects a national initiative launched this week by the Intellectual Property Office, ‘Fake Toys, Real Harms’ campaign. This is highlighting the dangers posed by counterfeit toys such as toxic chemicals, sharp edges, choking hazards and unsafe stuffing, as well as the vital work by enforcement teams across the UK to stop these reaching children.

According to data published by the Home Office: 

• More than £3.5 million worth of fake toys have been seized at the border so far this year.
• 259,000 fake toys have been intercepted, 75% of these failed critical safety tests and 46% of the people who bought them experienced serious safety issues.
• 90% of these fake toys were made up of Labubu dolls - the latest collectible craze popular with children.

Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety said: “We will not hesitate to take action when businesses are flouting the law and putting people at risk.

“Anyone buying toys for children must take care where they shop and check items carefully. If the price is too good to be true, then the product could be counterfeit and it could be dangerous.

“When you suspect that a product may be counterfeit or unsafe, please don’t buy the item and report it to the council so we can investigate.”

Salford City Council is supporting the campaign, which helps families spot the warning signs. While many of the toys look convincing, they can carry serious risks to children. Labubu dolls are only the tip of the iceberg, with Trading Standards finding unsafe copies across almost every type of toy. Action figures with paint laced with harmful chemicals, electronic toys with loose battery compartments and wires sticking out, dolls with arms that fall off at the first tug and Plushies filled with stuffing that can trigger breathing problems.

Spotting the signs: before you buy
Counterfeits are designed to fool even careful shoppers. But there are red flags:

Price: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Seller: Stick to official brand sites and trusted retailers. On marketplaces, check who the seller is.
Reviews: Don’t just skim the five-star ratings. Negative reviews often flag unsafe design.
Listings: Blurry images, spelling mistakes or vague product descriptions are red flags.

Spotting the signs: when the toy arrives
Safety marks: Look for genuine UKCA or CE marks, plus a UK contact address.
Packaging: Genuine toys have professional packaging with age warnings and instructions included. Keep an eye out for spelling and printing errors on the packaging and labelling.
Build quality: Check for loose parts, unsecured batteries, sharp edges or stuffing poking through.
Trust your instincts: A strong chemical smell or flimsy feel is often a giveaway.

What to do if you’ve bought a fake
Playtime should be safe, not experimental and even cautious buyers can be caught out. If you suspect a toy is counterfeit:

• Don’t let children play with it.
• Return it to the seller and ask for a refund.
• Leave a review to warn others.
• Report it to the marketplace and to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

Find out more at www.faketoys.co.uk.