Around £100,000 worth of fake and 'poor-quality' toys have been seized from shops in Manchester's Strangeways area. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers and Trading Standards teams acted on intelligence about shops selling suspected counterfeit toys. The stock was seized from several shops on the high street on Wednesday, August 5.
Safety concerns over counterfeit toys
Police said many of the toys were poor-quality and had not been safety tested. Some of them could have contained 'dangerous chemicals that could cause serious harm'.
A spokesperson for GMP said more operations are planned across the area as part of a wider operation to target premises involved in illicit trading.
Official warnings
Neighbourhood officer for Strangeways, PC Wyatt from GMP's Cheetham Hill neighbourhood team, said: "We want to raise awareness of counterfeit toys and the risks they pose to children and the wider community. People may think they're getting a bargain when purchasing counterfeit toys, but many of these products have not been safety tested. Poor-quality toys can pose choking hazards to children and, in some cases, contain dangerous chemicals that could cause serious harm."
PC Wyatt added: "We understand that the rising cost of living puts pressure on household budgets, but no amount of money saved is worth risking a child's safety. Counterfeit goods are often linked to organised criminal networks. By removing these products from circulation, we are not only protecting the health and safety of our communities but also disrupting criminal activity and preventing offenders from profiting. Every purchase of counterfeit toys can help fund criminality. Through our partnership with Trading Standards, we are working to stop these products at the source and keep our communities safe."
Council response
Cllr Basat Sheikh, Manchester City Council's executive member for neighbourhoods, said: "This operation is an excellent example of the work we are doing to tackle the sale of dangerous and counterfeit goods in our communities. While many people may be tempted by what appears to be a bargain it is important to understand the risks involved. Counterfeit toys can contain small parts that pose choking hazards, harmful chemicals that may affect a child's long-term health, and they can also contribute to funding organised criminal activity. I am proud of our team of Trading Standards officers, as well as the continued partnership between Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police. Together, we remain committed to removing unsafe products from sale, protecting consumers, and keeping our communities safe."
