WARRINGTON police are urging people to be vigilant after a four-year-old girl and her mother were injured by needles which had been placed in a rope swing at a local park.
The youngstrer was playing in the John Keeney play area in Oakwood yesterday (Saturday) when she was injured by a number of needles that had been pushed into the rope swing.
She sustained injuries to her legs and, as the child’s mother came to her aid, she sustained an injury to her hand. The needles were 1-2 inches long and did not have a syringe attached to them.
They both attended Warrington Hospital to be checked over and the incident was subsequently reported to police on Saturday evening.
Officers are on patrol in the area providing reassurance to local people and checking parks and play areas across the town. Officers have also liaised with Warrington Borough Council.
Inspector Neil Drum said: “This is a worrying incident in which a child and their mother have been injured by a number of needles, which appear to have been deliberately pushed into a rope swing.
“This is dangerous and reckless and whoever has done this clearly has no concern for the safety of children who may be playing in the area.
“Such items are dangerous. Fortunately, in this case, the mother was with the child and able to take them off the swing and away from the area but other children playing on their own may not be aware of what they have found.
“We are taking this seriously and doing all we can to trace whoever is responsible. At this stage it appears to be an isolated incident in the town and there have been no further reports of any similar incidents in Warrington. But clearly this is concerning and I would urge the public to be vigilant and report any similar incidents to police immediately.”
Anyone with any information is urged to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 764 of 14th May.
