Police puzzled as primary pupils hit by air rifle ‘maniac’

DETECTIVES are hunting a sniper who fired at pupils with an air rifle as they played on a climbing frame in a primary school playground.
Five children and three members of staff have been injured in two separate attacks at Netley School in William Road, Regent’s Park.
Puzzled police have been unable to release any details of potential suspects but believe the marksman may have shot from flats overlooking the play area.
Officers said that the ammunition used in the rapid-fire attacks were pellets blasted from a long-range air gun.
Devastated headteacher Ivor Thomas has appealed for police to catch the culprit as soon as possible.
He said: “I’m shocked. We acted as quickly as possible to make the children safe but it all happened very quickly. We are helping the police as much as possible. I hope the perpetrator is caught before we return (from the school’s summer holiday) in September.”
The playground gun drama unfolded at lunch-time last Wednesday when four chil-dren were hit in quick succession. Two seven year-old girls and an eight-year-old boy sustained bruising. Another eight-year-old boy ran into the school bleeding after being cut in the gunfire.
All of the children, recognisable by their green sweater uniforms, were playing near a wooden climbing frame. The playground was sealed off soon after teachers raised the alarm. Two of the pupils were taken to hospital for check-ups.
Police said yesterday (Wednesday) that two teachers and a cleaner – all men – were also hit with the pellets.
A spokesman said: “This was senseless yobbery.”
Mr Thomas said: “The pellets left small red marks on the children. This is very irresponsible.”
Last Wednesday’s attack is not thought to have been an isolated incident and detectives are following up reports that an eight-year-old boy was bruised in a similar sniper-style attack two days earlier.
A statement released by Camden Council said: “It is thought that a pupil who reported a slight injury ‘like a bee sting’ on Monday may also have been hit by a pellet though it was not apparent at the time what had happened.” The school, where pupils are aged between three and 11, broke up for the six-week summer holiday last Thursday but police are still in contact with staff and the parents of the injured children.
Officers have made door-to-door inquiries at nearby flats and checking CCTV for possible clues.
Last night (Wednesday) they appealed for calm and said they would only post officers at Netley when lessons resume in September if requested by the school.
Mr Thomas was last week reassuring parents. He said: “Nothing like this has ever happened at Netley before. We have good community relations and this is a very peaceful school.”
But one parent, who did not want to be named, said: “It could have killed or blinded someone. I can’t tell you how distressing it is to hear some maniac is taking pot shots at your kids. They have to catch whoever has done this before September.”