Herts Police have squashed rumours of nails being glued into playground slides in the Watford area after images circulated online.

Photos were shared across Facebook groups for Kings Langley and Bushey after nails were found stuck sharp-end up in play equipment in Marcham, Oxfordshire, on May 13.

Watford Observer: The images of the nails stuck into play equipment went viral this week.The images of the nails stuck into play equipment went viral this week. (Image: Facebook)In a now-deleted post, a resident warned parents: “Apparently Bushey is one of the areas that has been targeted so please check equipment before playing on it.

“So shocking anyone would do this”

Watford Observer: A now-deleted post in Bushey Mums.A now-deleted post in Bushey Mums. (Image: Newsquest)Herts Police and the Met have both confirmed there have been no reports in the county or London, while Thames Valley Police said they were investigating the only confirmed incident in Oxfordshire.

Watford Observer: Hertfordshire Police have confirmed they received no reports of the incident in the county.Hertfordshire Police have confirmed they received no reports of the incident in the county. (Image: Facebook)

The mother who discovered seven nails glued to a seesaw, swings and slides told the BBC she and her daughter had found them early on Monday morning (May 13).

Watford Observer: Social media users have also wrongly suggested the incident took place in Richmond and Tower Hamlets in London.Social media users have also wrongly suggested the incident took place in Richmond and Tower Hamlets in London. (Image: Facebook)She uploaded the images in a private community Facebook group but they were later reposted across Facebook and Twitter.

In a tweet seen over 70,000 times, a television presenter mistakenly said it had happened in Richmond, London, while others speculated the photos were from Kensington and Chelsea or Tower Hamlets.

Marcham Parish Council, which owns the park, told the BBC it was "shocked and saddened" by the incident and hopes it is a one-off occurrence.