CHILDREN FIND SYRINGE AT DOWNHAM SCHOOL

A HEADTEACHER Has Moved To Reassure Parents Over School Safety After
A Child Discovered A Syringe In A Playground.

An 11-year-old alerted a dinner lady after spotting the syringe in
the grounds of Clackclose Primary School in Downham on Friday, September 14.

It is believed youths who have been congregating on the school
grounds out of hours left the syringe behind.

Head teacher Ronnie Koon said when it was discovered there was no
needle attached.

A parent from the school said: "It's quite horrendous and is quite worrying."

Mr Koon said all pupils at the school are warned through various
lessons of the dangers of drugs paraphernalia and guidelines were
followed after the discovery.

He added: "This sort of thing is unfortunately a regular occurrence
at many public locations.

"It is the first time I have seen a syringe delivered to me at this
school and I have been here a year but I used to work in Huntingdon
and Cambridge and it isn't unusual, which is why we tell children
what they should do in these situations."

Mr Koon said there is a known issue with drugs misuse in Downham and
said he had heard of drugs paraphernalia being found at nearby
Memorial Fields which is why he believes children need to know the dangers.

This incident follows the discovery of evidence of the
potentially-deadly practice of sniffing nitrous oxide, or laughing
gas, at youth hangouts in Downham, including The Howdale as reported
in the Lynn News last month.

Downham inspector Mick Bates said police are aware of public concerns
about drug use in parks and greens in Downham and patrols and
stop-and-checks were being used to tackle it.

Downham did not have any greater drug problem than anywhere else but
police were not complacent and would continue to try and keep the town safe.