‘Too good to be true’: parents warned to check before they buy amid flood of counterfeit toys

Border Force warns knock-off Labubu dolls and similar items can be dangerous, and sales fund criminal networks

At this time of year, with the big day looming and the north pole elves straining to meet their manufacturing quotas, it may be tempting for Santa to try outsourcing toy production to international organised crime gangs.

But Father Christmas would do well to heed fresh warnings that counterfeit versions of one of this year’s most popular toys can be dangerous to children.