About 100 counterfeit Labubu dolls were seized during raids of two shops in London’s West End, authorities said. Westminster City Council said the items, dubbed Lafufus, were found at Essentials in Brewer Street, Soho, and Snack N Gifts on Oxford Street. The dolls were on sale for around £20 (€23.4). On inspection they were found to have feet that detach easily and eyes that pop out, the council said. The choking hazard meant the items breached toy safety regulations, and most of the items were Chinese-manufactured with missing or non-compliant labelling.

Genuine Labubu dolls retail for hundreds of pounds and are recognised by their furry monster-like appearance. They are associated with Chinese toymaker Pop Mart and have been promoted by celebrities worldwide. Counterfeit versions often have twisted limbs, misshapen heads or the wrong number of teeth; real Labubus have nine. Westminster City Council leader Adam Hug warned the dolls could prove an expensive and even fatal error. “There is a long history of counterfeiters trying to make a quick profit from the fad toy of the moment, but the Labubu fakes we found could prove a costly error. They are badly made and, like all counterfeits, have a habit of falling to pieces quite quickly. However, the real danger is the fact the eyes and feet come off with little effort – if a toddler picks them up and swallows them, the results could be fatal. Our job is to ensure shoppers in Westminster get what they pay for and dangerous items get taken off the streets.”