AN ALARMING catalogue of incidents in the grounds of a York school has led to its head teacher asking permission for a huge fence to be built around it.

In less than a year, Westfield Primary School in Askham Lane has suffered an arson attack, threats to staff, numerous fires, and had phone lines and CCTV camera lines damaged, windows broken, and doors kicked in.

The site has been used for drug and alcohol abuse, and as a dumping ground for burnt-out cars.

The head teacher, Mark Barnett, now wants a 2.4m high security fence to surround the whole building and improve security.

He said some of the incidents at the school since July 2003 included an arson attack which destroyed a £60,000 mobile class room; four stolen cars brought on to the site, two of which were completely burnt out; needles routinely found; and the site manager, himself and other staff being verbally and physically threatened.

But Mr Barnett today stressed that the school was safe, and the trouble related to incidents out of school hours.

"I believe the behaviour of some local youths has got worse.

"The school works really well with the community, but a small minority of people are spoiling it for the majority."

Mr Barnett also stressed the positive benefits that would follow from putting up the fence, saying increased security would protect new facilities, including a new neighbourhood nursery, and allow the school to be used more, both by pupils and the local community.

City of York Council's executive member for education, Coun Carole Runciman, said: "I do not think parents should worry.

"It is important for us to have security around the school and to know that children are safe when they are at school."

The chair of governors, Carol Etherington, said: "In common with a lot of schools in York, we have had a series of incidents, some very minor, some larger. It is an ongoing problem in the area, but no different from a lot of schools."

Incidents at Westfield School since July, 2003

Arson attack destroyed a mobile classroom which had to be replaced at a cost of £60,000

Numerous fires started in doorways and other areas

The cutting of phone lines and CCTV camera lines, and equipment repeatedly destroyed

Windows deliberately broken by the throwing of various objects, including golf balls and bricks brought to the site

Doors kicked in and vandalised

Four stolen cars brought on to the site, two of which were completely burnt-out

Numerous roof tiles removed and smashed on all main areas of the tiled roof, including new link building

Skylights destroyed on flat roof areas

The site used for various forms of drug and alcohol abuse, needles routinely found

Glass from alcohol bottles strewn over the playgrounds and grass areas

Verbal and physical threats made towards the site manager, head teacher and other staff

Updated: 10:52 Thursday, February 12, 2004