Latest news with #RachelStephenson
The Independent
12 hours ago
- The Independent
Hundreds of fake Labubu toys seized over ‘serious choking hazard'
British parents have been warned about 'dangerous' counterfeit Labubu plush toys being sold by rogue traders. The fake toys pose a 'serious choking hazard' to young children because they are poorly made with easily detachable small parts, Rachel Stephenson from Hull City Council's Trading Standards team said. The proliferation of counterfeit Labubus is attributed to the extremely high demand and scarcity of the popular, viral toys. The Trading Standards team has seized hundreds of these unsafe fakes and urged parents to exercise caution when purchasing. Consumers can identify genuine Labubus by checking for specific features such as packaging quality, holographic stickers, QR codes, teeth definition, fur quality, and UV-detectable seals on newer editions. Urgent warning over 'dangerous' fake Labubu dolls being sold in UK
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Warning issued over dangerous fake Labubu dolls on sale in Hull
Counterfeit versions of Labubu dolls are proving to be a serious choking hazard for young children, trading standards officials have City Council said its officers had seized hundreds of the "dangerous" toys from shops around the city, and warned that it was likely many were still on versions of the plush toys have become a global sensation since their launch 10 years Stephenson, the council's head of public protection, said: "[Fake ones] 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." The warning follows a similar alert issued in Lincolnshire City Council said poorly-made fakes had small parts that could easily said the "dodgy dolls" could be identified by a series of features that set them apart from the real packaging on real versions has a Pop Mart sticker or a QR code, with newer versions also having a seal detectable under UV versions of the toy can have fewer teeth, uneven fur and wobbly Stephenson said: "[The fake dolls] can easily come apart, posing a serious choking hazard for small children."[We] would urge all parents to check products carefully, and purchase only those they're certain are genuine." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Tobacco seizures up despite elaborate hidey-holes
Seizures of illegal tobacco in Hull have more than doubled, according to the city council. About 2.4 million counterfeit cigarettes were confiscated in 2024, up from just over one million in the previous year. In the same period, 45,731 vapes and 25,841 tobacco pouches were discovered. Detection dogs have uncovered illicit tobacco in a number of sophisticated hiding places, including a compartment inside a concrete drain, a delivery chute from an upstairs flat, a false mirror and a floor safe with a hidden hydraulic lift, the council said. Rachel Stephenson, head of public protection at the council, said: "Illegal tobacco and vapes are a danger to anyone who uses them. "The products aren't subjected to the same safety checks as legal versions, and both cigarettes and vapes can pose a fire risk. "Those who sell them often target children and young people, and we know cheap tobacco is a barrier to adults who want to quit." Ms Stephenson said seizures ranged from small traders to "major distributors in the city". One raid found thousands of counterfeit products hidden inside an industrial bin. "Our team and our partners demonstrate over and over again that they stay a step ahead of those trading illegal tobacco and vapes," Ms Stephenson added. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Half a million fake cigarettes seized in raid Two million fake cigarettes seized in crackdown Sniffer dog uncovers hidden illegal tobacco Hull City Council
BBC News
08-04-2025
- BBC News
Tobacco seizures double in Hull despite elaborate hiding places
Seizures of illegal tobacco in Hull have more than doubled, according to the city 2.4 million counterfeit cigarettes were confiscated in 2024, up from just over one million in the previous the same period, 45,731 vapes and 25,841 tobacco pouches were dogs have uncovered illicit tobacco in a number of sophisticated hiding places, including a compartment inside a concrete drain, a delivery chute from an upstairs flat, a false mirror and a floor safe with a hidden hydraulic lift, the council said. Rachel Stephenson, head of public protection at the council, said: "Illegal tobacco and vapes are a danger to anyone who uses them."The products aren't subjected to the same safety checks as legal versions, and both cigarettes and vapes can pose a fire risk."Those who sell them often target children and young people, and we know cheap tobacco is a barrier to adults who want to quit."Ms Stephenson said seizures ranged from small traders to "major distributors in the city".One raid found thousands of counterfeit products hidden inside an industrial bin."Our team and our partners demonstrate over and over again that they stay a step ahead of those trading illegal tobacco and vapes," Ms Stephenson to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
