City of London police are warning Christmas shoppers to avoid buying cheap designer beauty products after they seized around £60,000 worth of counterfeit perfume that may contain harmful chemicals.

Fake perfumes can look almost like the real thing but laboratory analysis of samples previously seized by the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) have shown that they can contain toxic chemicals, including cyanide and even human urine.

The PIPCU says that fake cosmetics such as eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss and foundation have also been found to contain toxic levels of arsenic, mercury and lead.

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All of these can cause allergic reactions such as skin irritation, rashes, swelling and burns.

On 13 December 2022, PIPCU officers raided two business premises in Cheetham Hill, Manchester. They confiscated 400 bottles of perfume and seven tonnes of counterfeit clothing, accessories and wireless earphones.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Hussey, from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), said: "Those involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit goods are taking advantage of this and making huge profits in the process."

"These products are often untested and unregulated, showing that counterfeiters have little regard for the safety of the people who end up using them."

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He added: "The lower price of counterfeit beauty products make them an appealing option to shoppers in the run up to Christmas, particularly at a time when cost-of-living pressures have increased."

A residential address was also searched, and one man was arrested. He has since been released under investigation.