Trading standards officers have seized a shipment of 4,000 baby dummies at Stansted Airport which were intended for the hard-core clubbing market but could prove dangerous to children and adults.
The dummies contain a small circuit board and have flashing lights intended as a fashion accessory on the clubbing and rave music scene.
But trading standards officers from Essex County Council believe they pose a choking hazard to children if they get hold of them by mistake, because they fall apart easily and have small parts and batteries which a child could swallow.
So they teamed up with Customs and Excise staff to impound the shipment last week.
Peter Martin, Essex County Council cabinet member for Trading Standards, said: "These items could well have been confused with proper baby dummies and ended up in the hands of very young children."
He said anyone who sees these dummies on sale should contact Trading Standards on 01245 341800
Published Wednesday July 14, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article