Police warn parents to be alert after razors found taped to slides in children’s playground

'We would ask everyone to check any play equipment before you let your child use it'

Police have warned parents to be vigilant after razor blades were found attached to a slide at a children’s playground.

The alarm was raised in the village of Aughton, near Ormskirk, Lancashire, on Saturday morning.

In a video police uploaded to Facebook, two blades can be seen taped to what appear to be the handles of the slide.

“Whoever did this could have caused serious injury to a child,” the accompanying statement said. “Please be assured we are fully investigating this matter.”

The post added: “We would ask everyone to be vigilant and check any play equipment before you let your child use it.

“Please report anything suspicious or any similar incidents to us by calling either 101 or Crimestoppers, 100 per cent anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

“If anyone has any information about this we’d urge them to contact us as soon as possible.”

The discovery caused outrage on social media.

“Purposely targeting children playing in a play area is beyond sick and evil,” one user wrote. “I genuinely hope whoever did that gets hit by 40 tonne bin lorry.”

And the retired boxer Anthony Bellew added: “Truly frightening world we live in! This and all parks are for innocent children! Why would anyone do this? The person who did this needs taking off the face of the earth! Why would Anybody wanna hurt a child?”