More than 18,000 unsafe toys found in the west of Scotland

More than 18,000 unsafe toys have been seized by Trading Standards officers across the West of Scotland.

Many of the toys were found to have small parts that could easily become detached and be swallowed by children under the age of three.

Other items failed tests regarding the amount of chemicals they had in them. These are meant to be limited due to concerns over possible long-term health effects from the chemicals, including impacts on fertility and an increased risk of cancer.

A total of 165 retail and wholesale premises and 32,316 toys were inspected. Over half of the toys inspected - 18,075 – were found to be non-compliant or unsafe.

The project was led by North Lanarkshire Council on behalf of the West of Scotland Safety Working Group.

Councillor Helen Loughran, the convener of the environment and climate change committee with the council, said the project had "identified significant levels of non-compliance" and had reduced the risk of harm to children.

Small parts which are easily detached were one of the most significant hazards identified, as detached parts can cause choking, suffocation or internal injury if swallowed.

All new toys sold in the UK must show a manufacturer/importer name and address in the UK, product traceability, and a CE and/or UKCA mark on the toy or its packaging.

This proves that all appropriate safety assessments, testing and compliance procedures have been carried out, but many of the toys inspected by Trading Standards did not have this information.

The West of Scotland Safety Working Group intend to use the findings from the project to help strengthen product safety compliance and tackle unsafe products throughout the supply chain.

Additional results are expected later in the year from the North and East Safety Working Groups.