Camden News: Acland Burghley School | Tufnell Park | Shotgun | Armed Men

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Camden News - by TOM FOOT
Published: 4 December 2008

Acland Burghley

ARMED MEN BURST INTO SECONDARY

Headteacher calls for calm after ‘totally random event’

A HEAVY police presence has been set up outside a secondary school after three men armed with a sawn-off shotgun burst into the grounds on Friday.
Police patrols and a riot van were stationed outside Acland Burghley school in Tufnell Park after lessons last night (Wednesday) and headteacher Michael Shew called for calm.
Students at the school witnessed the three men chase an unidentified man into the school and brandish the gun at 3.45pm on Friday.
One pupil, who would not be named, said: “It was nuts. We were just waiting outside and I saw three older guys inside school.
“I didn’t see the person they were after, but the three were walking around by the side of the ramp [leading up to the entrance]. They were going about looking for someone.”
Speaking outside the gates last night, Mr Shew said extra security had been drafted in to monitor home time and that the gates would be closed 30 minutes earlier than normal each day.
He said: “This was an entirely random incident that was in no way connected with Acland Burghley School. The school takes the security of its young people and its site very seriously.
“No member of the school was threatened or injured during this incident.”
An 18-year-old man from Kentish Town was charged yesterday with possession of a firearm but detectives said the investigation was continuing.
Inspector Clive French from Camden Police said the additional patrols were in the area to provide reassurance.
Parents at the school have voiced concerns that the incident was triggered by tensions between a group known as the Tufnell Park Boys and rivals from neighbouring Islington.
Islington police have been involved in the inquiries.
Adam Leys, chairman of governors at the school, said: “I have spoken to the head teacher about this and what we think is that it is a totally random event.
“They [the men] have run into the school, but it could have easily have been a dry cleaners or a restaurant. This is life, I’m afraid, but we will recover.”

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