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 24 September.
This latest action follows a previous crackdown in August, when £2,000 worth of counterfeit toys were removed from the same stores. However, fresh intelligence indicated that fake goods were still being sold. The businesses remain unnamed while formal investigations continue.
“ The importance of this type of work is often undervalued. These toys can be be extremely dangerous.
Councillor Adam Hicken, Portfolio Holder for Enforcement and Safe Communities
“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% 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
