THE MUM of a two-year-old girl injured by a razorblade taped to a ride in a popular children's playground has spoken of her horror at the incident.

Kymberley Black's was "freaked out" when her daughter, Chloe, cut her hand playing on a novelty lion spring rocker ride at the Riverside Gardens, Ilkley, on Sunday.

The offending blade – said to be a large old fashioned-style razorblade – had been deliberately fixed to the underside of one of the handlebars youngsters use to grip hold of.

Fortunately, Chloe did not need hospital treatment, and a health professional said a tetanus booster was not necessary as she has already had immunisations.

But this is just the latest in a long line of incidents at the playground that have left parents fearing for the safety of their children.

It has also been claimed sick vandals unbolted the steps from a slide at the playground, and that another child was hurt when he caught his finger in a discarded beer can on the same day.

The incident follows concerns raised about another slide in the park being smashed by yobs, and broken glass left littering the playground.

Kymberley, of Mornington Road in Ilkley, says Chloe loved playing in the park. But she is refusing to let her go back until her safety, and that of other children, can be assured.

She said: "When I saw the razor I just freaked out and threw it in the bin.

"My first thought was for her and making sure it couldn't injure any other children. They'd taped it on with insulation tape, and it was under the handle, right in the corner, where it was difficult to see.

"The park was rammed with people that afternoon – how nobody else had been injured, I don't know.

"Everyone thinks Ilkley is safer than other places, and it's obviously not. Nowhere is really safe."

Chloe's father, Andrew Bentham, set about trying to warn other parents as fast a possible following the incident. A post on social media network Facebook quickly generated more than 700 views, and many people have contacted Kymberley wanting to know Chloe is well after her ordeal.

The family also contacted police, who are promising to increase patrols in the area.

Officers are thought to have retrieved the blade to check for fingerprints.

Bradford Council, which confirmed this week it will carry out a full inspection, increase patrols and work with police after the incident, is said to have cordoned off the playground earlier this week while all rides and equipment – including a sand pit – were checked for sharp objects and any further damage.

Chloe's parents have suggested CCTV could be the only way to monitor the playground overnight, to deter criminals and catch the culprits. They also called for local authorities to once again check playgrounds every morning for damage.

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