Police investigate axe chase

4:10pm Thursday 14th November 2002

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A man wielding an axe chased rowdy schoolchildren in Hendon after his window was broken.

A row broke out at 3.15pm on Tuesday, when about 50 children, believed to be leaving St Mary's C of E High School in Downage, became involved in an argument with two men drinking cider on the doorstep of a property in Sunny Gardens Road.

Eggs were thrown from the upstairs flat at the crowd and a child threw an apple back, which allegedly broke a window.

An eyewitness called the police but by the time they arrived at 3.40pm, the children had dispersed.

A police spokeswoman said: "An informer called us at 3.30pm saying there was a man with an axe chasing schoolchildren around.

"But when police attended the scene at 3.40pm, there were no witnesses or suspects on the scene.

"The informer had also hung up before we got more information."

Headteacher of St Mary's, Robert Hannon, said: "A member of staff went there fairly quickly and we are investigating the incident.

"If any of our students were responsible they will be punished. We have worked very hard to get good relationships with our local area."

The school implemented an after-school staff patrol system at nearby bus stops after reports of bad behaviour last year.