This large knife was found by children at a York playground.
It was discovered at Bell Farm Adventure Playground on Friday afternoon.
North Yorkshire Police said the weapon has now been safely stored. It will be examined by forensic experts.
Chair of Bell Farm Community Association, Hilary Platt, said the weapon was “found by children leaning against a tree” and had blood on it.
Luckily the children didn’t touch it, but alerted an adult who contacted police.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “We were called with a report that a large knife was found at a park in the Bell Farm area of York on Friday afternoon.
“This is clearly very concerning, and the people who found it did the right thing by contacting the police.
“The knife is now safely stored and will be forensically examined to establish where it is from.”
After being sent a picture of the knife by a parent, Ms Platt issued this plea on Facebook: “Please warn all the kids not to pick anything up and alert an adult ASAP.
“These kids did, well done to them. Adults why would you leave something like this where children play?”
