Would YOU let your children play this? Dangerous crossbows that could fire out toothpicks and NEEDLES become must-have toys in China as anxious parents demand them be banned
- Crossbows are the latest craze taking over primary and high schools in China
- Police in some areas of the country have been forced to ban the items
- Parents concerned the toothpicks will be replaced for nails and other objects
Crossbows with the ability to fire out needles and nails have become the latest must-have toys in China.
The latest craze has resulted in anxious parents demanding the 'toys' are banned before a child becomes seriously injured.
Police in the city of Chengdu have banned the toys prompting calls for the ban to extend nationwide.
Chinese media say the 'toothpick' crossbow can shoot iron nails in place of toothpicks
The crossbow is now currently available to purchase on shopping site Ebay
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The crossbows can fire out needles and nails and are sold in shops for as little as seven yuan (81p).
However they were originally intended to be used for shooting toothpicks.
According to Shanghai Daily, shop owners have been selling out of the mini crossbows fast and are struggling to meet demand.
It said: 'The Toothpick Crossbow toy has spread across China like wildfire among the nation's primary and middle school children.'
Chengdu police have reportedly stopped sales of the toothpick crossbow
On the way? The items are now on sale in the UK via auction site Ebay raising concern
'The unusual shooting toy may be very small but it is powerful enough to puncture a balloon and pierce cardboard. And when the toothpick is swapped for a metal needle, it becomes a dangerous weapon.
There is now concern that the popular toy could arrive in the UK with the items now for sale on Ebay. Most of the sellers come from Asia but one seller is based in the UK.
While other Chinese state media said the mini crossbows can fire at a distance of more than 65 feet and shoot iron nails in place of toothpicks.
Police in Chengdu in China's southwest, have reportedly stopped sales of the product and concerned parents across the country want the government to issue a nationwide ban.
Earlier this month an 11-year-old in China miraculously survived after one of her classmates thew a 'ninja star' into her head by accident.
One of the blades was stuck into the pupil's head to a depth of two centimetres (0.8 inches).
Surgeons removed the object after operating on the girl for around an hour.
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