Another busy month for Trading Standards Officers including visits to Ilkeston Charter Fair

October was another busy month for Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards who continue to fight the battle to rid streets, markets and shops of unsafe, fake and illegal goods.

Two nights at the Charter Fair in Ilkeston resulted in just over 200 soft toys being seized by trading standards officers patrolling the fair checking on goods and toys on offer.

While they reported that most of the items on sale met correct safety standards, they removed just over 200 soft toys from one stall, mainly for incorrect labelling issues, issuing advice to the stall holder on the night, which will be followed up in writing.

The visit to the Charter Fair is part of trading standards’ on-going work to crack down on traders selling goods that are fake and do not meet correct safety standards, potentially posing a risk to consumers. 

Visits to other outdoor events will continue across the county in a bid to rid Derbyshire of rogue traders and keep residents safe.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Dawn Abbott said: “Our trading standards officers work tirelessly to rid our communities of unsafe goods that could cause serious harm to people, especially children. It’s heartening that they had no issues with most of the goods they came across at the Charter Fair and the seizure of the toys was just one incident, but it’s still one too many. That’s why this work will continue across the county so rogue traders better beware!’’

Following on from the seizure of toys at the Charter Fair, trading standards are urging consumers to always check toys carefully whether they are purchased or given as a gift or prize, and follow these tips:

• Check the toy has a label with a CE or UKCA mark - this is a claim by the manufacturer that the toy meets the relevant health and safety and environmental requirements.
• Check the toys are suitable for the children who will play with them – for example, are they age appropriate or suitable for children with special needs.
• Avoid toys that are damaged or worn.
• If the toy contains small batteries (button batteries), ensure that the batteries are not easily accessible as they could present a choking or poisoning risk if eaten

Trading standards are also warning consumers about fake Labubu dolls.  Many of these fakes have been found to be unsafe, for example due to easily detachable parts or potentially due to chemicals used in the product.  Fake dolls are usually at a lower price than genuine ones.

The work at the Charter Fair came in the same week as trading standards officers, working with Derbyshire Police, seized more than 1,000 counterfeit items and some potentially unsafe cosmetics from premises in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, including designer clothing, footwear, handbags, accessories and tobacco.

The operation highlights on-going efforts by the county council’s trading standards to protect consumers from unsafe and illicit goods and protect legitimate traders’ businesses.

On-going enquiries are in progress in relation to the seizure. 

Members of the public are urged to report any suspected counterfeit or unsafe products to Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 to help keep communities safe.