Cops custard-pied over Downham Bugsy drama
REHEARSALS for a school musical suffered a frightening interruption last week following reports of four balaclava-clad youths being seen on the roof.
Youngsters at Downham High School were working on their production of Bugsy Malone when panic broke out late last Monday evening.
Pupils were told to stay in the rehearsal room with their teacher but the alarm was raised after one of the youngsters managed to call his mother to explain what was happening.
She immediately called 999 but was left frustrated by the response of police, who failed to treat the report as an emergency.
The mother, who does not want to be named, told the Lynn News: "My son called at around 9pm and said he was being detained at school, the teacher was in trouble and there were men wearing balaclavas on the roof.
"He said it was not safe to leave the building. I dialled 999 but was told it was not an emergency. I was only reporting what my son had told me and I was expecting them to go in full force.
"I was shocked when they said 'why have you called this number? It is not an emergency.'
"The minute my son tells me he is being detained in school and cannot get home as there are men on the roof I think I have every right to call 999."
Police received further reports of a disturbance at the school but when officers arrived 20 minutes after the initial call those responsible had left the scene.
Headteacher Ian Bloom said: "Towards the end of the rehearsal there were reports of four youths on the roof.
"They banged on some windows which did cause concern.The member of staff kept the youngsters in a secure place to try to allay those concerns. It was frightening and I am pleased to say my member of staff put the pupils' safety first and made contact with the appropriate authorities."
A spokesman for Norfolk Police said based on the information received at the time the emergency call was correctly graded. He added: "People should only dial 999 where there is an incident occurring at the time and there is a danger to life, use or threatened use of violence, serious injury to a person, or serious damage to property.
"The caretaker checked the premises with officers later and found no sign of a break-in but anyone with information or who witnessed the incident should contact Downham Police on 0845 4564567."
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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