Danger Toys !!

Havering Council is warning parents not to save money during the credit crunch by buying dodgy toys - or they could regret it.

Council officers have noticed a rise in the number of unsafe toys being sold and have seized hundreds at discount shops, boot sales and markets. Last month dozens of small battery operated cuddly toys were seized from a man selling them from a shopping trolley in Romford town centre.

The toys - which included kittens, puppies, rabbits and tiger cubs - were very badly made and the bells eyes and noses could easily be removed and could be a potential choking hazard. On another occasion the Council seized miniature cars which have extremely high levels of lead in the paint. Once lead enters a child's blood stream it can, in the most serious cases, cause damage to the brain and nervous system or growth problems.

Other toys seized across the borough that do not comply with United Kingdom safety regulations include counterfeit Barbie scooters, Winnie the Pooh toys and fake Incredible Hulk action figures.

A Council Spokesman said "Officers have noticed a rise in the number of counterfeit and unsafe toys over the past year - they have seized hundreds. Times are hard and people are cutting back on their spending - but you cannot put a price on a child's safety."

If you shop at well-known reputable stores then you should have no need to worry - but if you are not sure where a toy has come from then it is better to be safe than sorry.

Anyone with any concerns about a toy should call 01708 433484.