Triple-bladed weapon found near children's birthday party

Rita Roberts revealed it was uncovered in her back garden while 18 children celebrating her son's birthday leaped on a bouncy castle.

But the mother-of-three said she has been left disappointed after police failed to pop into her Walsall home to inspect the it and put to rest her fears criminals were lurking nearby.

The 38-year-old added: "I was dumb-founded, mortified, about the consequences or tragedy that could have been if any of the kids had got hurt or it hit somebody. It's shocking.

"To kids it would look like a toy to throw. The police should have come out and I'm not happy about it. It could have been used in a crime, it could have killed someone."

Mrs Roberts said the razor sharp item, described as similar in size to a dinner plate, was discovered by husband Malcolm as he kept watch on the children.

Concerned the weapon had been thrown over her garden fence, she called police and was told officers would visit her Broad Lane home, where they were celebrating son Liam's eight birthday.

But after police failed to visit the house, which backs onto an alleyway, she disposed of the silver bladed item following advice from West Midlands Police.

Mrs Roberts admitted there would have been little police could have done following the discovery but added: "We are all hearing about knife crime, but when they don't come out to something [like this] it just annoys me."

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Kate Baker said the force received a report at about 1.40pm on Sunday, adding: "The information given during the call was risk assessed and it was established that nobody had been injured and there was no risk or threat.

"There was no intelligence to suggest that the item had been used in a crime and the caller was advised to take it into a local police station so it could be disposed of.

"The caller did not wish to do this, so it was agreed she would dispose of the item herself safely."