A number of councils have issued statements about the health and safety risks posed by fake Labubu toys.

The warnings from various Trading Standards teams across multiple local authorities come amid a surge of the counterfeit toys circulating in the UK, which are said to present choking hazards due to their small parts.

Among the local authorities to have released statements are Hull CC, Coventry CC and North East Lincolnshire Council, with Hull CC’s Trading Standards team having ‘seized hundreds of the toys’ from local shops.

Officers from Coventry’s Trading Standards team have warned that the counterfeit items, resembling the originals produced by Pop Mart, a Chinese toy brand, are particularly hazardous to small children.

The statement emphasised that selling counterfeit goods is a ‘serious offence’ and reinforced that offenders could face possible prosecution.

Hull CC has also highlighted that ‘poorly-made fakes’ sold by ‘rogue traders’ can be distinguished from the authentic Labubu product through details in the item quality and packaging.

Rachel Stephenson, Head of Public Protection at Hull CC, said: ‘These fakes can seem appealing. They might be cheaper or more easily available than the real thing, which can be tempting when children are desperate to get their hands on one. However, it is simply not worth the risk.’

Cllr Khan, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities at Coventry CC said: ‘These counterfeit toys may look like the real thing, but they are unlikely to have undergone the rigorous safety testing required by law.

‘Small parts can easily detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. We urge parents and carers to be vigilant and to only purchase toys from reputable sources.’