Island Police are appealing for witnesses after the discovery of empty chemical barrels at a PGL children’s adventure park on the Isle of Wight.
 
More than 20 barrels were found by staff at ‘Little Canada’ in New Road, Wootton at approximately 8.00am on Sunday, October 5th.
 
The empty barrels are believed to have contained a chemical named ‘sodium hypochlorite’, which is used for cleaning swimming pools.
 
PGL staff checked the empty barrels, which had not leaked, before moving them to secure area.
 
The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service removed the barrels from the park.
 
PC Nick Massey of Ryde Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: 

“These barrels were left in a secluded rural location near where children play on a regular basis.
 
“We didn’t know at first whether the barrels were empty or not so emergency services had to treat them as though they posed a real chemical hazard to people, and the surrounding area.
 
“I’m appealing to anyone who may have seen people acting suspiciously near Little Canada Children’s Adventure Park in New Road, Wootton, on Saturday night, or in the early hours of Sunday morning to contact police.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone Ryde Police Station on 0845 045 45 45, or the call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.