Parents were today warned about the sale in York of pens which look like blood-filled syringes.

Two shops have already suspended the sale of the 99p pens, which are filled with red coloured water, as fears grow that children may confuse real syringes lying in the street with the toys.

Acting Detective Inspector Phil Roberts, of York Police, said: "Anybody who is manufacturing pens that resemble a syringe containing blood I would think it is in very poor taste.

"We have a problem with children finding syringes in unlikely places like the gutters in residential streets and near dustbins and these are being picked up by young children, who do not know any better.

"Parents should obviously warn children not to pick these things up, but the danger is that they may think they are just pens and the consequences for their health could be serious."

Cathy Stone, of the Drugs Resource Scheme, in Bridge Street, agreed the pens were a bad idea and could give a mixed message especially to young children, who might think syringes are toys.

A father of two young children, from Rowntree Avenue, who brought one of the pens to the Evening Press, said he was horrified that children could confuse syringes they found lying in the street with playthings.

"I think this pen is offensive and could be dangerous because children won't know what they can safely play with and what they can't," said the dad, who did not wish to be named.

"I've done some work with drugs awareness programmes and when one of my friend's children came home with the pen she was very upset and brought it straight round to show me. I was shocked by it. Used syringes are found all over the city and parents try to teach their children not to pick them up.

"I know that as soon as my children get their hands on a pen they usually scribble all over themselves and I'd hate to think what could happen if they thought they could do the same with real needles.

"I don't think shops should be allowed to sell these things and teachers should be on the look out for them."

The pen, which is made of transparent plastic and contains a dark red fluid, was bought from a shop in York.

Made in Taiwan, the syringe pen is graded with black lines up the side just like a real syringe and the plunger has to be pushed down to release the nib.

Andrew Gibson, owner of Skoota, in Church Street, said his shop and sister shop Kaos, in Gillygate, would be withdrawing the pens from sale "pending advice".

In a statement, he said: "The pen in question is a plastic retractable ballpoint. To ensure people can understand that it's a fun pen, it contains bright scarlet water and the damper is fixed so you can't move it.

"It resembles a hydraulic damper used in all primary schools and secondary schools as a technological and science apparatus.

"It is mainly bought by adults and is not designed to be a cause for confusion.

"We have sold a considerable number in the two weeks in which we have been selling it and have not received a single complaint at all.

"We are supplied by a large reputable wholesaler and we wish to point out that despite it being a quality product fit for the purpose and of merchantable quality, we have chosen to withdraw it from sale pending advice."

The manager of Classic, the clothing shop on High Petergate who refused to give his name, said: "It's ludicrous. Are you saying that a kid who plays with toy cars will go out and kill themselves on the road?"

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