Rap for schools over anti-war protest

A police chief has criticised parents and schools for failing to control their children after hundreds of pupils staged an anti-war demonstration.

At least 200 youngsters from four Oxford schools marched through the city centre to protest against possible war with Iraq.

At one point Grenadier Guards manning a recruitment stand were forced to pack up after being surrounded by the pupils from Cheney School, Peers School, St Augustines and Cherwell Upper School.

Police monitored the start of the protest but Chief Superintendent David McWhirter, the area commander, later withdrew his officers.

He said: "I fail to see why Oxford police area should police a demonstration held by schoolchildren who should be in school.

"They are the responsibility of their parents and their schools, not the responsibility of Oxford Police.

"We have our hands full dealing with crime in Oxford without schools and parents allowing this to happen."

He said officers had kept watch using CCTV cameras and the Thames Valley Police helicopter and would have been on hand if the public were at risk.

"But I will not use up my valuable resources policing a load of schoolchildren who should be in lessons," he added.

The pupils, who were aged 11 to 16, eventually dispersed after around two hours.

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