River users have been warned to take care after hundreds of razor blades were found dumped on the Thames foreshore, close to where schoolchildren were taking part in a school project.
A member of the public stumbled upon the potentially lethal haul in Isleworth, near the pink former boating pavilion near Church Street, last Wednesday (April 1).
Jason Davey, from Berkshire, alerted the Port of London Authority (PLA), whose officers Tony Handley and Nathan Dare retrieved more than 500 of the potentially lethal blades from the site.
Mr Davey used his knowledge of the tidal foreshore to collect even more of the dumped blades, which had been swept along the river.
The PLA, which manages the Thames, has warned people near the foreshore in the area to take extra care as there are likely to be more lurking.
Mr Handley said: "The blades were spread out over some metres of foreshore, and many were already sinking into the mud. We were amazed by the quantity – any one of which could have caused a deep serious injury.
Mr Davey said: "I couldn't believe it to be honest. I looked down and saw all these razor blades. I've no idea what was going through the mind of whoever did this. At the time a group of schoolchildren were doing some kind of wildlife project there and I had to warn their teacher to keep the kids out of harm's way."
Jon Beckett, of the PLA, said: "We are advising river users and members of the public generally to take extra care when they are near the foreshore of the Thames in this area.
"Although it appears that we've collected most of them, some may be hidden in the mud. Because this is a fast flowing tidal river some are no doubt already elsewhere in the river. If anyone finds something as dangerous as this, on or in the river, they should contact the PLA."
* You can call the PLA on 01474 562 200.
