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Police warning in school fence row

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Published Date:
08 February 2010
Police have warned they will take action against people vandalising a fence which has sparked anger among residents since it was put up.
A fence was put up around Latimer Arts College in Barton Seagrave after its principal decided it was needed for student safety and to prevent "casual" access to the school.

But the decision led to an angry response from parents, residents of Barto
n Seagrave and some pupils.

They say that it cuts off the footpaths through Barton Seagrave and will mean more car journeys are necessary.

Sergeant Wayne Preece, of the Kettering Rural East Safer Community Team which includes Barton Seagrave, has warned they have to take action against those causing damage.

He said: "Some people have taken it upon themselves to pull the fence down.

"Some people are not happy with the fence and think the action they take is justified.

"We are working to combat this and we will be putting extra patrols on.

"We have to be impartial – if the fence has been erected lawfully and people are damaging it unlawfully, we can only take the action that we can, which is to prosecute.

"People could be faced with a criminal record or a fine.

"That's a big consideration when there is an alternative means of protesting."

A website has been set up, www.latimerfence.org.uk, in opposition to the fence and to encourage people to register their objections before March 4.

A group has also been set up by pupils on Facebook – Take down the Latimer fence.

Principal Siobhan Hearne has said she will work with Barton Seagrave Primary School after parents complained they were no longer able to use Latimer grounds as a cut-through to get to the primary school.


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  • Last Updated: 08 February 2010 9:26 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Kettering
 
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1

bounty,

08/02/2010 10:48:55
I think Sgt Preece is looking in the wrong place, its most likely students from the school doing this not residents of the surrounding roads. Yes we are unhappy but its a sign of the times and to be honest the school should be doing more to work with the community regarding access to community facilities on the site

"Principal Siobhan Hearne has said she will work with Barton Seagrave Primary School after parents complained they were no longer able to use Latimer grounds as a cut-through to get to the primary school."

Perhaps Ms Hearne would actually like to do this rather than refuse to correspond with resident who have offered to work with her to find alternative options.

The school is imposing these new measures without having an alternative in place. This is not how things are done - The school says it wants to work with parents...stop talking and start working.

You know how to get hold of us!
2

Vic Mackey,

Kettering 08/02/2010 20:41:53
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=248009689142&ref=ts
3

flash_blade,

Barton Seagrave 08/02/2010 20:55:41
For anyone interested in this issue, there is a Parish Council meeting (they are also opposed to the current plans) at the Masque Theatre this Thursday 11th Feb at 7pm. This item will be discussed at length.
4

The Larkins.,

Ms Hearnes garden 08/02/2010 21:07:51
Is the fence going up on land that is owned by the school? If so, and planning permission was needed and granted, whats the problem? If not, thats a different matter. Over to you 'bounty'
5

bounty,

Paul Lashmar in Barton Seagrave 08/02/2010 21:42:19
Comment #4 is correct up to a point.
however the village community centre is within the grounds along with the Masque theatre. On top of this for many years there has been permissive access across the car park to and from the infants school. which has been or about to be removed with no discussion and no alternative in place.
It will add about 20 mins each way to a foot journey. I found out at the weekend this access can be traced back over 20 years. and please don't give the 'when i was child sob story' I used to walk to school on my own as well but there was less traffic and anyway most schools insist of children being accompanied.
There is also a path from one side of the village to the other - again gone with no real warning and an alternative that does not allow access to community facilities.
Many parents on castle will probably end up using cars just to get to the infants school - so much for safer routes to school - some parents have children at the infants school and at the playgroup in the community centre.
Have a look at a map Larkin.
all we asked for was to be allowed 30 mins morning and afternoon but the college has refused to talk to anybody.
Hmm - that must set a really good example to the students.
And be honest, its probably parents of infants sch children that are more likely to spot a person who appears to be 'out of place' than anyone else
6

The Larkins.,

The Snickers banner 09/02/2010 05:43:46
'permissive access' for many years is NOT legal access. Surely the simple answer would to have a 'double' fence on each side of the fields, therefore forming a corridor, access would be as it roughly is now, and Ms Hearne would keep YOUR children, her staff safe? Of course if you dont like the way the school is heading, you can always move to another school. That though would be inconvenient wouldn't it, and we all want everything on our doorstep without making an effort.
7

bounty,

Paul Lashmar in Barton Seagrave 09/02/2010 10:34:55
sorry but I think Larkins is stirring an argument for the sake of it and i'm not going to bite.
8

The Larkins.,

Head in a book. 09/02/2010 21:25:17
Argument? Certainly not. A 'corridor' is the simple answer. Both parties will have what they want - the school would be secure, and the pubic would still have their shortcut. My last point above is simply saying that society in general nowadays wants everything easy, with no change.
9

Bobby85,

Kettering 10/02/2010 09:48:46
Lets see if the Police & School think its a brilliant idea when there are more accidents involving Children because they have to walk double the distance
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