Nearly 600 electrical items have been confiscated from traders across the borough after being found to be unsafe for use or counterfeit.

Phone chargers and laptop power supplies were found to be the worst products tested by Trading Standards Officers with some suffering multiple failures and being branded as unsafe.

In total, 587 items were confiscated – including Christmas lights and LED lights.

The investigation was funded by the Electrical Safety Council.

Leader of Harrow Council, Councillor Susan Hall, said: “These results prove how dangerous goods like chargers and lights can be, and we want consumers to be aware of the risks this Christmas.

“The sheer number of seizures in this operation highlights the good work of our Trading Standards team to ensure that Harrow’s shoppers are kept safe.”