'These toys can be be extremely dangerous,' council says as more fake Labubu dolls seized from Walsall stores
Fake children's toys with an estimated value of £7,000 have been seized from shops in Walsall town centre.
Walsall Council’s Trading Standards officers, supported by West Midlands Police, seized more than 800 counterfeit items – including unsafe children’s toys – during ‘Operation Thundercats’ on Wednesday, September 24.
This latest action follows a crackdown in August, when £2,000 worth of counterfeit toys were removed from the same stores. However, fresh intelligence indicated fake goods were still being sold.
The businesses remain unnamed while formal investigations continue.
Councillor Adam Hicken, portfolio holder for enforcement and safe communities at Walsall Council, said: “The importance of this type of work is often undervalued. These toys can be be extremely dangerous.
“With counterfeit toys you have no idea what materials or chemicals they contain, and they can fail even the most basic safety standards.
“This is not just about fake branding – it’s about protecting children’s health and safety. Unlike legitimate products, you can’t recall unsafe fakes once they’re in circulation.
“I would like to thank our Trading Standards Team for all the vital work they do, and the police for their continued support.”
According to Home Office data, Labubu dolls made up 90 per cent of the £3.5m worth of fake toys seized at the UK border so far this year.
During the latest operation, Walsall Council’s Trading Standards officers also found a shopping cart filled with single-use vapes hidden in the back of one of the stores.
These vapes are banned from sale in the UK.
More enforcement activity in Walsall is planned in the run-up to Christmas.