RESIDENTS have spoken of their horror after five young children were threatened by a man wielding a knife in a Witney park.

Two boys and three girls aged between nine and 11 were in the Church Lane park at 6.45pm on Tuesday when the man, who was wearing a black baseball cap and black leather jacket, gestured with a six to eight inch knife for them to come towards him.

Dog walker Kate Bennett, 41, said the event was "very frightening" adding that she wouldn't be allowing her children to play in the park late at night from now on.

She said: "I know we should be able to let our children play out in the park as late as they want but unfortunately we live in a day and age when that's not the case.

"It's too scary a time to allow my children out to play in the park by themselves any more.

"It is a horrible turn of events and I'm so pleased the children got away safely."

The children ran away from the man, who was 5ft 10-11ins, in his late 20s to early 30s and bald, but he followed them.

Investigating officer, PC Gary Smales of the reactive team based at Witney police station, said: "This was a terrifying experience for these boys and girls, and I understand the community will be worried about this incident.

"I can reassure residents that we are conducting a thorough investigation, including carrying our patrols in the area and obtaining CCTV, where possible."

Please call 101 if you have any information.