Exclusive: Newbury school pupils shot at
The incident happened at a Newbury school yesterday (Thursday) afternoon
PUPILS from a Newbury primary school were shot by a BB gun yesterday it has emerged.
The incident happened at Robert Sandilands County Primary School in Digby Road, Newbury, at about 12.50pm yesterday (Thursday).
Headteacher, Richard Blofeld, confirmed that three pupils had been hit by plastic pellets fired from a gun from a nearby house.
In a statement to Newbury Today Mr Blofeld said: “The lunchtime controllers removed the children from the hard play area onto the grass to be well away from the house concerned and immediately informed me of the incident.
“I called 999 and within five minutes two police officers arrived on site. The officers visited the house concerned, removed a BB gun and are now dealing with the incident.
“The parents of children known to have been hit by the plastic pellets have been personally contacted by the school.”
Mr Blofeld said the children were not injured as a result of being hit by the pellets.
The police confirmed they spoke to a 13-year-old boy in connection with the incident.
Thames Valley Police spokeswoman, Rebecca Webber said: “It appears the BB gun was being fired in a nearby garden and shots had strayed into the playground.
“Staff at the school identified the area where the gun was being fired and a 13-year-old boy was identified by officers.
“The matter has been recorded as a public order offence and the boy will be spoken to in due course with his parents.”
Mr Blofeld praised his lunchtime controllers for their swift action.
He said: “I would like to congratulate the lunchtime controllers for managing the situation so effectively and the children for their sensible approach to what could have been a distressing occurrence.
“The safety and well-being of children and staff is always of paramount importance. The Police reassured us that the school managed the situation appropriately.“