Hikers and mountain bikers might want to use extra caution when using wilderness trails around Nanaimo.
An unidentified woman was on a trail near Barsby Lake Saturday when she came across a wire strung at neck level and jagged wooden stakes set in the ground on a multi-use trail that accesses Barsby Lake and is used by mountain bikers, hikers and others.
Barsby Lake is located along Nanaimo Lakes Road about 13 kilometres from the Nanaimo Lakes Road and Wakesiah Avenue intersection.
"These items could have caused serious injury to an unsuspecting mountain biker or someone on a dirt bike," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, in a press release. "There have been no other similar reports in that area so we are hoping it was a one-time incident. Having said that, we are looking to the public to assist in identifying who may be responsible."
A similar incident was reported to police in October 2014 when a woman found rope strung at neck height across a trail near the Nanaimo River in Cassidy, south of Nanaimo.
No suspects have been identified in either incident.
Anyone with information about these incidents, please call the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be received by text at 274637, keyword Nanaimo or submitted online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.