More than 500 Labubu dolls seized from city centre pose serious safety risk

A plush toy rising in popularity across the globe has attracted hundreds of knock off counterfeits across Derby city centre – and the council has warned the public that they pose a real safety risk. A recent Trading Standards operation saw over 2,000 illicit items seized from city centre stores – but one fake trendy doll was particularly common.

The operation targeted fake Labubu dolls, which have soared in popularity in recent months. The elf-like dolls were created by Chinese toy maker Pop Mart, but counterfeit versions have hit the shelves across the city, prompting warnings from the Derby City Council Trading Standards team for shoppers to “be wary”.

The counterfeit dolls carry very serious risks, including possible choking and health hazards. Some of the items seized were missing plastic hands, eyes, and accessories, showing how easily these small parts can detach.

Officers visited eight stores in Derby, seven of which were found to be selling counterfeit products – and there are still more to visit. In total, the operation seized the following:

• 523 Labubu style dolls
• 8 Labubu style toys
• 72 other toys (including Disney Stitch soft dolls)
• 18 miscellaneous items (including some Labubu-style purse and mirror products)
• 190 keyrings (including Labubu style keyrings)
• Assorted counterfeit Labubu packaging

Also among the seizures were 1,511 disposable vapes, which have been illegal in the UK since June 1, 2025. Councillor Shiraz Khan, cabinet member for housing, strategic planning and regulatory services, said: “Like authorities around the country, we’ve seen a boom in the number of counterfeit Labubu dolls across the UK.

“As well as being unauthorised fakes, these counterfeits pose a real safety risk due to poor build quality, small parts and the possible use of chemicals known as phthalates. These dolls are primarily aimed at children, but each one that was seized has the potential to cause significant harm to a child, including death from choking on small parts or through suffocation from the filling.

“That’s why it’s so important that we get them off the shelves as soon as possible. I want to once again thank our Trading Standards team for their hard work in identifying and seizing these counterfeit products. It’s work like this that often goes unseen but is vital in keeping our community safe.”

The council says each premises where goods were seized will receive a written warning, advising them that a more formal approach will be taken if they are caught selling such items in the future. This could lead to prosecution.

The penalty for selling counterfeit goods is up to 10 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.