Warning as dangerous counterfeit dolls flood UK before Christmas

Christmas shoppers have been urged to buy from trusted retailers amid fears thousands of counterfeit Labubu dolls and other toys entering the UK are riddled with choking hazards and toxic chemicals.

Figures show at least 259,000 fake toys worth more than £2.5million have been seized so far this year – with counterfeit Labubu dolls accounting for around 90 per cent of the haul.

In a fresh warning issued today, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the Government’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) said the growing epidemic of counterfeit goods posed a ‘safety threat’ that places ‘children in real danger’.

Among the items seized were defective Labubu dolls that fell apart easily – exposing sharp points and small detachable parts, they said.

Unregulated Lego-style figures were also found to pose a choking risk, while counterfeit Pokémon products were made from unknown, untested materials.

The mischievous plush dolls – known as Labubus – have become a global sensation among children and teenagers, as well as celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Rihanna.

Originally niche collectible toys, Labubus have exploded into a cult must-have in recent months, fuelled by social media trends, blind-box packaging and limited-edition releases.

In September, the Daily Mail revealed how organised crime gangs were cashing in on the craze – using cheap knock-offs to help fund criminal networks, including organised crime, human trafficking and terrorism.

Criminals attempt to smuggle the counterfeit toys into the UK via fast parcels, air cargo and shipping containers – often originating from countries such as China, Hong Kong and Turkey.

Once they reach the UK, experts say the toys quickly enter illegal distribution networks – being sold in physical outlets such as pop-up shops – with the profits ending up in the hands of criminals.

RoSPA’s head of policy, Adrian Simpson, said today: ‘Counterfeit items present a clear risk to consumers buying toys this Christmas.

‘These goods may look convincing, but they can pose serious dangers – putting families at real risk.

‘We’re committed to working with government and other organisations to tackle counterfeit goods and protect consumers.

‘Counterfeit goods are not just a financial scam – they are a safety threat. The promise of a bargain is not worth risking children’s safety for.’

The IPO’s deputy director of enforcement, Helen Barnham, added: ‘With counterfeit toys, what you see is rarely what you get.

‘Behind the packaging can be hidden choking hazards, toxic chemicals and faulty parts that put children in real danger.

‘These products have bypassed every safety check the law requires – which is why we’re working with our partners to keep dangerous fakes out of UK homes.

‘Our ‘Fake Toys, Real Harms’ campaign aims to raise awareness among parents and gift buyers of the hidden dangers associated with counterfeit toys.

‘Child safety must always come first – please don’t let your child be the tester.’

RoSPA said many of the soft toys it examined carried no labelling or fake safety markings – meaning investigators could not determine what materials they were made from.

They could contain toxic substances such as lead, harmful dyes or banned plasticisers, the organisation warned.

RoSPA did not confirm where the toys had been purchased or whether they were sold via online marketplaces.

Separate IPO research found almost one in three people surveyed – 29 per cent – admitted to having purchased counterfeit goods in the past.

Of those, just under half – 46 per cent – reported safety concerns, ranging from toys breaking almost immediately to unsafe labelling, strong chemical smells and even reports of illness in children.

However, the research also found that more than half of toy buyers – 58 per cent – would think twice about buying counterfeit goods if they were aware of the safety risks.

Consumers were advised to stick to trusted retailers or official brand websites and to exercise caution when buying from third-party sellers on online marketplaces.

Parents were also urged to check toys on arrival for a UKCA or CE safety mark on electrical items, as well as a UK or EU contact address on the packaging.

If this information is missing, poorly printed or contains spelling mistakes, the product is likely to be counterfeit, RoSPA warned.

Anyone who suspects they have bought a fake toy is advised to return it immediately, leave a review to warn other parents and report it to Trading Standards.