A "grotesque" zombie knife was found hidden in a Watford playground sparking fears over children's safety.

The blade was discovered in Copperdale Court off The Gateway by residents who were tidying rubbish in the grounds on Sunday (July 3).

Police were called just after 11am and recovered it.

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One parent, who wished to remain unnamed, branded finding the knife in a playground "sick".

Watford Observer: The zombie knife was found in a children's playgroundThe zombie knife was found in a children's playground

They said: “My neighbour was tidying around the bin. They said, ‘Oh my God, I’ve found a knife’. They got it out and it was a massive zombie knife.  

“It wasn’t lost, it had been strategically put there.

“What if a child had found it? Whoever put it in a child’s playground is pretty sick.”

Watford Observer: The knife was found behind a bin in the playgroundThe knife was found behind a bin in the playground

The area around Copperdale Court was being tidied by residents because some believe its management company is not taking good enough care of the area.

The parent added: “We are fed up with the rubbish.

“The knife is grotesque. It’s the last straw, how much more have we got to take. There could be knives stashed everywhere.

“In the past we have found things like drug paraphernalia and last year needles were found.

Watford Observer: Rubbish was collected on Sunday, July 3Rubbish was collected on Sunday, July 3

“There is no maintenance. No-one goes and checks, no-one cleans up.

“Worse things could been put there in the past.”

A spokesperson for First Point said the communal areas are managed by several parties.

They added: “We are responsible for the upkeep of the playground and a separate party is responsible for maintaining the area outside of the playground where the knife was found.

“We instruct a cleaning contractor to tidy the playground when required, and we will be discussing this with them to arrange more regular visits, to ensure the playground is kept tidy for families to enjoy it.”

Watford Observer: Police community support officer Ruxane OslerPolice community support officer Ruxane Osler

North Watford safer neighbourhood team sergeant, David Elgy, said: “The members of the public did exactly the right thing by contacting us when discovering the knife.

“This is an uncommon discovery.

“However, I’d advise anyone who believes that they have found any sort of bladed article to not touch it or pick it up, but to call police on 101.”

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