Boy’s gun pose ‘tribute’

THE shocking image with the boy’s face obscured.

A ROYTON and Crompton School pupil has sparked outrage after overlaying an image of himself holding an AK47 machine gun with the French flag days after the tragic events in Paris.

Parents of pupils at the school have been left shocked after seeing the picture on the year 9 boy’s Facebook profile.

After the tragic events in Paris at the weekend millions of people worldwide overlaid their Facebook profile pictures with the French flag in tribute to the innocent victims.

A number of parents have told the Evening Chronicle that they have pulled their children out of school after seeing the image saying they were disgusted with what they saw.

Dr Kevin O’Hagan, Headteacher at Royton and Crompton School, has been quick to reassure parents that children are completely safe.

Dr O’Hagan said: “One of our pupils posted an inappropriate image, taken in Pakistan, in August this year as his Facebook profile picture.

“We became aware of it on Monday, November 16 and immediately contacted the child’s parents, the police and the council.

“The police visited the school. They have fully investigated and confirmed that no criminal offence has taken place.

“The child had reposted his profile picture last weekend, this time overlaying it with a French flag as a mark of support to the people who died in the terrorist attacks in Paris. In doing so he copied what thousands of other social media users were doing.

“The child and family were fully co-operative and hugely upset that offence had been caused. They stressed their disgust at the Paris attacks, quickly deleted the Facebook account and wish to express their regret at what has happened.

“The safety of pupils and staff is our highest priority at the school and I want to reassure all parents and carers that children are completely safe here.

“The incident is a reminder of the need to use social media appropriately and safely at all times and we will continue to teach children about how to do this.

“If any parent has any concerns about this – or any similar matters - I am happy to speak to them directly if they contact the school.”

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that the image has since been removed and police have spoken to the individuals concerned where it was deemed no offences have taken place.

The Evening Chronicle was contacted by a number of parents expressing their concerns.

One mother, whose child has still yet to return to school, said: “With recent events how are we to know if this child isn’t dangerous? When it comes to your children’s safety you do not take risks and i felt it was a risk sending my child to school knowing there’s a picture of a boy posing with a machine gun on Facebook, smiling.”

Another parent said: “I took my child out of school yesterday (November 16) after seeing the picture of the pupil from the school holding a machine gun on Facebook. My initial reaction was to keep my child safe which resulted in my husband phoning the school and advising them that we wanted to pick our child up and why.

“They had no problem with this and said that the situation was being dealt with by the police. Due to further conversations with the school yesterday they advised us to speak to them this morning for reassurance progress on this situation which we did and was told that they can 100 per cent say that all the pupils will be safe returning to school and the investigation is ongoing with school and police.

“My son returned to school this afternoon (November 17) but I’m still really unnerved regarding this.”