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Pupils use website to plan fight | Pupils use website to plan fight |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A potential fight involving up to 80 schoolchildren, some as young as 11, was averted by police in Devon. | A potential fight involving up to 80 schoolchildren, some as young as 11, was averted by police in Devon. |
Officers were called to Cullompton on Saturday afternoon after reports a fight had been arranged by children from schools in mid-Devon. | Officers were called to Cullompton on Saturday afternoon after reports a fight had been arranged by children from schools in mid-Devon. |
Police said the brawl was orchestrated via the internet by groups from Tiverton, Cullompton and Uffculme. | Police said the brawl was orchestrated via the internet by groups from Tiverton, Cullompton and Uffculme. |
Children were said to be carrying metal bars, wood, baseball bats and bicycle chains to use as weapons. | Children were said to be carrying metal bars, wood, baseball bats and bicycle chains to use as weapons. |
Insp Anne Higgins said the initial group of children congregated at the Cullompton Community Association fields, but it dispersed as police units arrived at the scene. | Insp Anne Higgins said the initial group of children congregated at the Cullompton Community Association fields, but it dispersed as police units arrived at the scene. |
Very few parents actually attended the location to collect or deal with their children Insp Anne Higgins | Very few parents actually attended the location to collect or deal with their children Insp Anne Higgins |
During searches officers also found a heavy metal crank in one bag. | During searches officers also found a heavy metal crank in one bag. |
A 17-year-old youth received a verbal warning for the possession of cannabis, and cigarettes were taken from numerous children. | A 17-year-old youth received a verbal warning for the possession of cannabis, and cigarettes were taken from numerous children. |
Police said the arrangements appear to have been made on the social networking website Bebo and by emails, mobile phones and text messages. | Police said the arrangements appear to have been made on the social networking website Bebo and by emails, mobile phones and text messages. |
Bebo said it had not been contacted by the police about the matter. | |
A spokeswoman said: "We would, of course, assist immediately with any investigation. | |
"Illegal and inappropriate communications are in direct contradiction of our strict terms of use." | |
The head teachers of two local schools have declined to comment. | |
Insp Higgins said police would not tolerate this type of behaviour, which not only had the potential to become very serious, but also undermined public safety. | Insp Higgins said police would not tolerate this type of behaviour, which not only had the potential to become very serious, but also undermined public safety. |
"Any attempt to repeat such a gathering will be subject to the full use of police powers under public order legislation, including the stop and search of people within a five-mile radius of any potential location for disorder," she said. | "Any attempt to repeat such a gathering will be subject to the full use of police powers under public order legislation, including the stop and search of people within a five-mile radius of any potential location for disorder," she said. |
Missing persons | Missing persons |
The inspector said the force would consider applying for dispersal orders if necessary. | The inspector said the force would consider applying for dispersal orders if necessary. |
She said it was important parents were aware of their children's whereabouts to prevent them becoming involved in crime and disorder. | She said it was important parents were aware of their children's whereabouts to prevent them becoming involved in crime and disorder. |
"Very few parents actually attended the location to collect or deal with their children," she said. | "Very few parents actually attended the location to collect or deal with their children," she said. |
"This is very disappointing and of major concern." | "This is very disappointing and of major concern." |
Police said numerous school-aged youths were still out until the early hours of Sunday morning. | Police said numerous school-aged youths were still out until the early hours of Sunday morning. |
Officers dealt with five missing persons reports in Cullompton - four of whom were found to be involved in the potential disorder. | Officers dealt with five missing persons reports in Cullompton - four of whom were found to be involved in the potential disorder. |
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