ANXIOUS headteacher Anne Taylor today warned that somebody could be killed after "lethal" 18-inch arrows were fired into an Ipswich school playground overnight.

By Judy Rimmer

ANXIOUS headteacher Anne Taylor today warned that somebody could be killed after "lethal" 18-inch arrows were fired into an Ipswich school playground overnight.

"It is horrible. These arrows are 18 inches long and very nasty, with steel tips and aluminium shafts," said the Whitton School head.

"They look absolutely lethal and could kill somebody – there's no doubt about it."

Today police are appealing for anybody with any information to come forward, so that the culprits can be caught.

The two arrows were discovered by caretaker Peter Livermore in the playground early today, and had apparently come from the direction of Burns Road or Browning Road.

This is just the latest in a series of worrying incidents, which have included repeated airgun shootings overnight – leading staff to feel as if the school is under siege.

On three successive nights from Thursday to Saturday, the school's kitchen windows were damaged by airgun pellets.

These were also fired from the area of Burns Road, which is adjacent to the school boundary. Today the broken glass was being cleared away after the latest incident.

Although all the incidents have happened at night, after the children have gone home, Miss Taylor said it was still a very real worry and it might be necessary to keep youngsters in at playtime.

"We are extremely concerned," she commented.

"Our children only have a small playing area. Our next move is to keep children in the building for their own safety, and this is unfair."

Miss Taylor said the broken windows were making it difficult to prepare school meals safely.

"The school cooks are constantly clearing up glass. Splinters of glass can land anywhere and this is a real health and safety issue. Our cooks are doing a magnificent job making certain, as far as they can, that every piece of glass is cleared up."

She added: "The arrows open up a new can of worms – I have never seen such threatening missiles.

"It horrifies me to think of the damage air rifle shootings can do to children and adults, let alone property. These activities need to be carried out in a safe area, not across school premises!"

Miss Taylor said it would have needed somebody at least six foot tall to manage such long arrows.

Police spokeswoman Lisa Wilson said that the incidents were being investigated, and appealed for anybody who had any information, or who had seen anything suspicious, to get in touch.

Contact Pc Andy Blacker on 01473 613500.