Police stop parents leafleting outside Calder High

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Several reports have reached the HebWeb of police turning up, threatening to arrest parents giving out leaflets outside Calder High School.

The HebWeb this afternoon contacted the police to inquire under what law they were stopping parents giving out of leaflets. Sergeant Michael Bowden replied, "We have been asking that the leaflets were not distributed on the school premises or outside as they may cause an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act, and we are seeking co operation."

The HebWeb has one of the leaflets. It's from the newly formed Friends of Calder High School which aims to "support the school and work with it to ensure that the views of the wider community are represented and understood, and to encourage the school to provide an exciting and ambitious experience for children, based on local need."

The leaflet invites those interested to the next meeting of the newly formed forum of parents and friends at St Michael's Church Hall, Mytholmroyd on Tuesday, 15th May from 7.30-9pm.

A HebWeb correspondent writes: "How is handing out leaflets a breach of Section 5?" He refers to the following from the Public Order Act

5 Harassment, alarm or distress.

(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he—

(a) uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or

(b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting, within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby.

 

See also

HebWeb Forum: Police action against Calder High parents (May 2012)

HebWeb News: Calder High Ofsted Report: School given 'notice to improve' (Tuesday, 6 March 2012)

HebWeb Forum: Calder High (Feb-May 2012)

HebWeb News: Parents threaten exam boycott and Concerns about early GCSE at Calder High (Nov 2012)