3:59pm Thursday 17th January 2008
By Robert Fisk
A PRIMARY school is beefing up security after a "regrettable and distressing" incident where a five-year-old girl ran out of school.
The Hayes Primary School pupil left the playground at break time and walked up a footpath before undoing the gate and leaving the site.
A passer-by spotted her and called the police who took her back to the school in George Lane, Hayes.
Since the incident took place the staff have held meetings about how to improve security.
The school gate used to be left open so helpers could come in during the day but it is now being locked when pupils are there and an electric gate is going to be fitted.
Head teacher Anthony Hayes said: "It was very regrettable and distressing as you can imagine.
"Ironically we have just had a bid for new security gates and the work will be starting next week to ensure it is not going to happen again."
It will be linked up to a camera which will be controlled from the school office so staff can see exactly who is going into or leaving the school.
A concerned parent, who is not related to the pupil, criticised Dr Hayes for not informing everyone about what happened immediately after the incident.
He says he wanted to wait until measures had been put in place to prevent anything like it happening again and has now written to parents.
The incident happened on January 10 but the News Shopper was only told about it today (January 17) by a parent, who is not related to the girl, who was concerned about what happened.
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