School ‘exploring’ more safety measures after alert

A primary school is exploring extra security measures after being forced to evacuate due to a security alert last month, a politician has said.

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said Sacred Heart Primary School in the Waterside area of Londonderry was now considering CCTV, additional external fencing and a new gate.

He said the school had been engaging with the Education Authority (EA) after a suspect object – later declared a hoax – prompted the evacuation of the building and nearby homes on 26 June.

Durkan described the incident as “deplorable” and said he had been approached by concerned parents asking about additional safety measures.

A spokesperson for the EA said the authority’s maintenance service had visited the school and identified potential security improvements.

These included the installation of CCTV and external gates, are being taken forward through the EA’s emergency works process.

The suspect object was found in the school grounds on the Trench Road and removed after being declared a hoax.

“This is not the first incident like that in the area, but the alert in June was certainly one of the most high profile and had such a negative impact,” Durkan said.

“The safety of children is obviously paramount, so any additional measures that could help put parents of children at the school and those living in the surrounding area more at ease would obviously be welcomed.”

Durkan said the extra security measures should be put in place as a matter of urgency.