Toddler escapes secure play area in Beckenham (From News Shopper)

Toddler escapes Gambado's secure play area in Copers Cope Road, Beckenham

10:36am Monday 14th May 2012 in News By Rachel Conner

THE parents of a toddler who escaped from a secure play area in Beckenham are warning other parents about security at the centre.

Two-year-old Kayhan Durmish was found wandering towards a busy main road by a stranger close to Gambado soft play area in Beckenham.

The centre in Copers Cope Road has CCTV footage of the toddler leaving through a security gate while his dad Murat Durmish was changing his other son’s shoes.

His mum Rasime Durmush, 35, said: “I just want to point out to other parents to be a bit more aware that safety is not as high as they make out.

“If you were out in a shop you’re more cautious, you wouldn’t take your eyes off them for a second but in that sort of place you’re more relaxed.

“Accidents can happen but it’s not the sort of accident you can afford to happen when its a child. If changes aren’t made what’s to stop it happening again?

“I don’t want to go back there but there’s not a lot of places to take your children. It’s unfortunate the children love it there.

“We would really like to thank the person who brought Kayhan back. We really appreciated it.”

Children remain the responsibility of their parents at all times, though on the centre's website it claims to have high security, allowing parents to relax while their children play.

Families are meant to be checked in and out of the centre through a secure gate manned by staff members.

A Gambado spokeswoman said: “We are sincerely sorry that this incident occurred. Following the incident we have instigated a full investigation into this matter.

"As an operator we ask all parents to sign our Rules Of Play which clearly highlights that children remain the responsibility of parents at all times.

"However, to help parents with this we have implemented a number of security measures over and above many other indoor play facilities.

"We insist on a check in and check out system with photographic ID and contact details for all parents.

"All our emergency exits are linked to an emergency alarm system that alerts the duty manager immediately should they be opened at any time.

"Our gates are also manned by a member of the Gambado team at all times.

“Gambado takes the security of all children extremely seriously. Once a full investigation is completed we will be reverting back to the parents with a summary of our findings and any necessary actions taken.

“We recognise safety and security of all our customers is a paramount however, as with any operational system this cannot be 100 per cent foolproof 100 per cent of the time.”