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Almost 100 fake Labubu dolls were seized by police in Liverpool who have warned about the risks posed by buying counterfeit toys.

Merseyside Police carried out a joint operation alongside Liverpool City Council’s Trading Standards team in the city centre on Tuesday, and found the fake dolls on sale for £7.99 each.

The distinctive furry monster-like soft toys, manufactured by Chinese firm Pop Mart, have rocketed in popularity recently.

However, police said fake versions can pose risks including toxic paint, sharp edges or unsafe stuffing.

The seizures were made from two shops on Ranelagh Street and Church Street and coincided with the launch of a national campaign entitled Fake Toys, Real Harms, led by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

The IPO said fake toys can also pose choking risks to young children and be constructed with chemicals linked to increased risks of cancer.

One counterfeit Labubu doll inspected by Merseyside Police was found to be poorly constructed, with its head and feet twisting and loosening easily.

The force said its internal stuffing also tore open with minimal force.

Sgt Richard Clare said: “We understand that some people may not see the harm in buying counterfeit toys, especially when they’re cheaper or appear similar to the real thing.

“But behind these fake products are serious risks – not just to children’s safety, but to our communities.

“Counterfeit and illicit goods are rarely just about fake products. They’re often linked to wider criminal networks that cause real harm.”

The force said nationally more than 200,000 counterfeit Labubu dolls have been seized before reaching UK consumers, accounting for around 90% of all counterfeit toys seized in the UK this year.

Experts have since valued the haul at nearly £3.3 million.

Tests on the seized toys found 75% failed critical safety tests.