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Police warning in school fence row
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 Barton 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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Sunday 27 May 2012
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