Probe follows police car drama of eight-year-old boy

A BOY of eight was wrongly put in the back of a police car and driven away from school after an alleged assault.

A member of staff has since been suspended from Oldham’s Westwood Primary and a police officer advised about his conduct.

Greater Manchester Police were told by a member of staff that a young girl had been allegedly punched by another pupil.

A police officer, who was visiting the school on a separate matter, apparently took the boy to his car to talk to him.

But the boy was then put in the back of the police car and driven out of the school gates.

It’s believed the journey, on April 30, was made without the knowledge of either the boy’s parents or the head teacher.

Children under the age of 10 are not considered to have reached an age where they can be held responsible for a crime.

A joint statement from Oldham Council and head teacher, Nicola Brogan, said: “The school is treating this incident very seriously and we are working closely with the council and other groups to ensure a full investigation is carried out.”

A police spokesman said: “A number of children were standing around the car, refusing to go back in, so the officer made the decision to drive around the corner. The boy was in the car for about 10 minutes before he was returned to the school. At no time was he under arrest.

“This is not normal procedure and the officer should have sought permission before removing the child. The officer has since been advised about his conduct.”

The school has 240 pupils, primarily from the Bangladeshi community, and was rated “good with outstanding features” in its latest Ofsted inspection.