Chinese-made toy weapons confiscated at Catterick Sunday market (From York Press)

Chinese-made toy weapons confiscated at Catterick Sunday market

7:30am Saturday 4th September 2010 in

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TOY guns fitted with potentially lethal laser beams have been seized in an early morning raid by trading standards officers at a Sunday market in North Yorkshire.

The Chinese-made toys, which sell for under £10, are so dangerous that they have been banned from sale across Europe.

The laser has been found to be nearly 20 times more powerful than permitted by toy safety regulations – yet the packaging says that the toy is suitable for children from five years of age.

County councillor Clare Wood said: “These are extremely dangerous so-called toys, which could easily have the most horrific consequences. They could, for example, easily damage a child’s eyes.”

In July this year, laboratory tests led to a Europe-wide recall of the toy gun, which comes in a yellow box with TD-2007 written in silver along the tops.

The tests showed that the guns pose a risk of damage to sight because they incorporate class 3B lasers. The gun contains a built-in laser module which is initiated using a button near the trigger. The laser is so powerful that it can blind if shone directly into a person’s eyes and there are concerns that the “toys” could lead to fatal results if fired at drivers and aircraft pilots.

Trading standards staff are now investigating the source of the guns seized at the Sunday market in Catterick.