Someone has been setting barbed wire booby traps for runners and cyclists

Runners and cyclists have been warned to look out for barbed wire after walkers discovered popular pathways had been targeted with ‘booby traps’.

Lauren Fay posted a clip of barbed wire that had been stretched across a public pathway in Elland Park Wood in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, on Friday.

She said: ‘The barbed wire was properly secured into the wall and could do some serious damage if you didn’t see it and especially if you’re on a bike.

‘Just be wary as obviously some not very pleasant people around.’

It is the second incident in West Yorkshire in a month after a runner found barbed wire tied up between two trees at Blackmoorfoot Reservoir near Huddersfield in late April, Yorkshire Live reports.

Dave Cocking, 35, said he almost ran into the wire that had been deliberately fastened between two trees and stretched across the path.

Posting about the incident last month, he said: ‘That could have easily gone into someone’s throat or eye. It could have also gone into a dog’s paw.

‘Thankfully my dad lives nearby. I made him aware and he came up with tools and we have taken it down. Be vigilant when out.’

Dave said he reported his incident to West Yorkshire Police, though it is unclear whether they have been made aware of the incident on Friday.

Commenting on Lauren’s video, several walkers branded whoever is behind the barbed wire ‘idiots’.

‘Could kill someone. How can anyone be quite so evil,’ Suki Hutchinson wrote.

Anne Moffatt said: ‘Thanks for the warning. We have been walking and cycling there as right next to home. Some very sick people about.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted West Yorkshire Police and Calderdale Council for comment.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.