Hundreds of fake Labubu dolls seized in Ayrshire

The toys have become hugely popular in recent years

Hundreds of fake and potentially dangerous Labubu dolls have been seized by trading standards officers in North Ayrshire.

Two premises within Irvine town centre were found to have over 370 counterfeit Labubu products - which due to poor safety standards can possess a choking hazard for children.

The cute-looking toy from the Pop Mart 'Monsters' series has become massively popular with children and teenagers in recent years, after launching in 2015.

However, counterfeit items have now started appearing in Scotland, with a number of fakes found in Aberdeen last week.

The fakes have not passed UK toy safety regulations and have small parts that could be a choking hazard.

Signs of a fake include overly vibrant colours and an incorrect teeth count, with authentic Labubus having exactly nine.

Cllr Alan Hill said retailers should ensure they do not sell the items.

He said: ""It might look like a good deal, but these dolls are usually really poor quality and made with inferior materials and are not made to last at all.

"Not only that, they could also cause a serious accident to young people."

The word Labubu is the name of a character in toy series the Monsters created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung.

The toys gained worldwide attention in 2024 after a member of popular K-pop band Blackpink had a keychain Labubu attached to her bag.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Stewart McConnell.