Hundreds of fake toys seized from Walsall traders test positive for hazardous chemicals

More than 500 dangerous counterfeit toys seized from three premises in Walsall have failed safety testing, the council has revealed.

Walsall Council Trading Standards officers, with help from West Midlands Police, carried out a joint operation targeting the supply of counterfeit and unsafe toys in shops across the borough back in September 2025.

Officers seized more than 500 items from three businesses during the operation.

Products included counterfeit Labubu toys, and toys falsely branded under popular, well-known names such as Hello Kitty, Disney, Bluey, Super Mario and Louis Vuitton (LV).

All branded items have since been confirmed as counterfeit by the relevant brand owners or their representatives.

Samples of the seized toys were submitted for lab analysis and were found to be non-compliant with product safety legislation. Testing identified that some counterfeit Labubu toys posed a choking hazard for children under 36 months due to small parts becoming detached.

Chemical testing also identified excessive levels of phthalates in some of the toys. At high levels, phthalates can pose risks to human health, with potential impacts on the endocrine system and links to longer-term effects on child development and reproductive health.

Councillor Ian Benton, Walsall Council’s portfolio holder for street scene and enforcement, said: “These findings highlight how important this type of work is. Counterfeit goods are not just illegal, but also pose serious safety risks to consumers, particularly young children.

“Our Trading Standards officers will continue to work proactively with partners to identify unsafe products, protect residents and take action against businesses that fail to comply with the law.”

The council said premises involved cannot be named while investigations are ongoing but stressed enforcement action will be taken and the seized items will be destroyed.