Carpet tacks have been strewn on the Wirral Way, putting walkers and riders at risk - police are investigating

Oct 22 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

Carpet tacks have been strewn on the Wirral Way, putting walkers and riders at risk - police are investigating

CARPET tacks have been strewn on the Wirral Way, putting walkers and riders at risk.

Hundreds of small tacks have been appearing on the country path, which attracts walkers, runners, cyclists, horse-riders and dog owners, for the past week or so.

Park rangers are now concerned that someone might be injured as a result.

In a notice to park users asking for vigilance, senior ranger James Locke described the person responsible as “a mindless moron”.

Cllr Bob Moon, cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure, said: “It would appear this is a concerted effort by someone to cause disruption to regular visitors to the Wirral Way.

“Our rangers have been making every effort to clear the path as effectively as possible, but is an impossible task to remove every single tack, particularly when whoever is responsible is coming back regularly to leave more.

“Whatever the motives for doing this, I can’t believe anyone could be so mindless and irresponsible.

“The Wirral Way and Wirral Country Park, particularly in the last couple of years when we’ve spent some £500,000 on improving the quality and accessibility of the path, is used daily by walkers, pet-owners with their dogs, parents with young children and with pushchairs, people in wheelchairs and riders on horseback, as well as cyclists and joggers.

“It is extremely likely that a person or animal is going to get hurt as a result.

“We would urge visitors to take care when they use the park, but also be vigilant too and let the rangers know if they see anything or anybody suspicious.”

They can be contacted at the visitors’ centre on 648 4371.

The incidents are now being investigated by police.