On Air Now

Up For It

8:00pm - 10:00pm

Now Playing

Elton John & Dua Lipa

Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)

Listen Live Watch

Rochdale Trading Standards win national award after £16 million fake goods seizure

Thursday, 4 December 2025 12:58

By David Murphy

Rochdale’s Trading Standards team has been honoured with a national award for its leading role in protecting families from counterfeit goods and illegal drugs.

The team received the Chartered Trading Standards Institute Hero Award in Parliament, after seizing more than £16 million in dangerous and fake items over the past year.

The haul included counterfeit cosmetics, unlicensed medicines, and Class C drugs, as well as thousands of fake “Labubu” dolls, one of this year’s most sought-after children’s toys. The dolls were found to have small detachable parts, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Working with police forces across the UK, Rochdale officers intercepted more than 94,000 items before they could reach shops, markets or online platforms. The goods were linked to organised criminal networks operating in multiple regions.

Paul Waugh MP presented the award to trading standards officers Darren and Dennis, along with apprentice Ollie, during a ceremony at Westminster. He praised their national impact and detailed enforcement work.

“Rochdale’s Trading Standards officers have protected families across the country,” Mr Waugh said. “Stopping dangerous fake Labubu dolls alone could prevent serious injuries this Christmas. Their wider work breaking up criminal supply chains is exceptional. They fully deserve this recognition.”

This is the third time Rochdale’s team has won a CTSI Hero Award. Previous accolades have recognised their enforcement on illegal vapes, and their early work uncovering ghost number plates.

Share

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Recently Played

Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

   

Coming up next On Air

  • Up For It

    8:00pm - 10:00pm

    Join Joe and Courtney every Monday evening for two hours of laughs, trying new things and the latest pop hits.

  • Ellis

    10:00pm - Midnight

    with Ellis Richardson

  • After Hours

    Midnight - 2:00am

    For the night owls, night workers and everyone still going while the rest of the town sleeps. Music, chat and company after dark.

  • Wide Awake Club

    2:00am - 5:00am

    For those who find themselves awake at 3am more often than they’d like. Calm music, understanding voices and quiet company.

  • Up Before the Alarm

    5:00am - 7:00am

    for early starters, commuters and anyone already on their second brew. Livelier music and new voices warming things up before breakfast.

  • Tuesday Breakfast

    7:00am - 10:00am

    getting you out of bed and to work and school with great music and headlines.

Roch Valley Radio is a not-for-profit radio station serving Bury and Rochdale including the surrounding areas on DAB, your Smart Speakers and Online.

© Copyright 2026 Roch Valley Radio CIC. Powered by Aiir.