Security incidents at St Oliver’s Harris Park primary school prompts new fence

A PRIMARY school in Sydney’s west has added extra security along its fenceline after a series of stranger danger incidents involving adults talking to children and one attempt to tickle a student.

A new mesh security fence surrounds St Oliver’s Catholic School in Harris Park. The fencing is designed to keep strangers from interacting with the school students. Picture: David Swift

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A series of “stranger ­danger” incidents has prompted a Harris Park school to install additional fencing to protect students.

St Oliver’s Catholic School has reported four incidents in the past year where passers-by tried to speak to students at lunch or in after-school care, with one shocking case of a stranger trying to tickle a student.

The school contacted police in June last year after a child was made uncomfortable by a stranger outside the school gates, prompting extra security measures.

The school notified ­parents that, to combat the approaches, it would install an 80m long and 2m high mesh fence around the perimeter of the school.

“One (incident) involved two argumentative men who requested food from a teacher during after-hours care,” a school spokesman said.

The new fence has been installed around the entire school and is 2m high. Picture: David Swift

“Another involved an older woman who attempted to take photos of the students and another involved a man who took photos in the direction of the school.

“The matters were reported to the police and we are unaware of what ­action followed.”

The fence prevents people from reaching through to the students, a decision the school said was made in ­consultation with parents and police, with the installation occurring in February.

“While no one was hurt as a result (of the approaches) … after consultation with the local police, the school made the decision to include this security measure as an added precaution,” the spokesman said.

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Parramatta police reminded parents and teachers to remain vigilant.

A police spokesman said: “Discuss issues around safety with children so they can feel confident in going about their normal day-to-day activities but be aware of what to do if they have any ­concerns.”