Danger laptop leads seized before reaching East Ham

Trading standards officers seized a batch of potentially lethal laptop leads - before they could reach a house in East Ham.

The equipment was confiscated at Stansted Airport in January in a joint swoop by Newham and Essex councils.

The leads did not have proper protection against live parts, or proper insulation.

A lab test on one sample revealed dangerous circuits and a lack of safety markings, increasing the risk of electric shocks and fire.

It is thought the leads, imported illegally from China, are currently circulating across the UK and Europe.

Cllr Unmesh Desai, Newham Council’s executive member for crime and anti social behaviour, said: “Make no mistake, these were dangerous leads.

“Computer users, many of them children, could have been put at risk.

“The prompt and proactive action by our trading standards service has ensured that unsuspecting users are not maimed or risk electrocution.

“These were destined for East Ham and could have been circulating in the borough.”