'Unsafe' toys seized at travellers' fair

Thousands of unsafe toys were seized at one of the biggest events in the UK's Gypsy, Roma and traveller calendar.

A two-day operation was carried out at the Appleby Horse Fair, in Cumbria, with confiscated products including what were described as "potentially dangerous counterfeit versions of viral toys" including dumpling squishies and NeeDoh-style fidget products.

The items either did not have required safety labelling or were confirmed as counterfeit, Westmorland and Furness Council said.

Now in its 250th year, the fair took place from 4 to 10 June and drew about 10,000 people from the Gypsy, Roma and traveller community with thousands more people visiting.

Counterfeit toys can appear to be a bargain, particularly when they are in high demand, but may present serious safety risks, the council warned.

Phil Lewis, director general of the Anti-Counterfeiting Group which supported the local authority and Cumbria Police, said such items "present a particular risk because they are purchased for children, yet they bypass the rigorous safety testing and quality controls that legitimate manufacturers undertake to protect consumers".

"As a result, they often contain unsafe materials, present choking hazards and fail to meet essential safety standards," he added.

"Heritage fairs are important to the UK social fabric and the infiltration of criminals seeking to make profit at any cost should not be allowed to threaten consumers and tarnish the reputation of such an historic cultural event."

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