Boxes of fake copies of the popular school playground toy loom bands were seized by trading standards officers

Hundreds of thousands of the bands, which are used to make bracelets, were confiscated by Harrow officers following a raid on three shops in Queensbury Circle.

Members of Harrow Borough Council’s safer streets team also seized 600 cigarettes imported without tax paid and hundreds of bottles of wine, beer and spirits.

Council cabinet member for crime and community safety Varsha Parmar said: "I know parents are pestered by their children for loom bands, but it’s important to know you are buying the proper item.

“It’s often the case that what seems like a bargain at the time is a false economy when it turns into a product that falls apart.”

Also seized on the day of action, which included members of Harrow police, was 17.4 kg of chewing tobacco, which was being sold without displaying the correct health warnings.

Thirteen toys were also seized because they did not have the correct CE markings, importers, manufacturing details and no instructions or warnings.