Police used CS spray to break up fight between parents in playground of infants school

Police had to use CS spray to break up a playground fight between parents at Penryn Infant School, Cornwall, in front of terrified youngsters. Officers were already on the school premises after reports of a "full-on fight" between two mothers in the playground earlier in the day. But as children were waiting to be collected, parties related to the women started "behaving in a disorderly way", according to the police.

Officers used captor spray, a pepper-based CS spray, to subdue a man who was allegedly assaulting a pupil's mother. PC Jules Evans alleged: "We went to prevent a breach of the peace, but the male involved would not heed advice and became very aggressive and assaulted another parent. As a result of his behaviour we were forced to use the spray and physically restrain him."



One parent, who did not wish to be named, witnessed the incident and said it was "very frightening". "I arrived at the school and saw lots of police cars and officers dotted around, as the children came out these people started fighting and the language was disgusting. It was horrible. The children were all stunned, diving to their mums' sides. School should be the safest place for kids to go and seeing it happen there was unbelievable.

"We were all shaking and I was in tears when I got home. Lots of other mums said their children were too upset and having nightmares to go back the next day." Head teacher Gillian Wright said she was disgusted by the incident and has written to parents. Children who are very young have witnessed something they never should have. That behaviour should never have happened. Safety and happiness are the most important things for children at the school." One man has been arrested and released on bail without charge, pending inquiries.