A South Ayrshire school has been evacuated seven times in the first 12 days of the new term due to hoax fire alarms.
Fire crews have been called out to Troon’s Marr College on seven separate occasions between August 26 and September 6, due to pupils repeatedly setting off the fire bell.
Council chiefs, the police and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have condemned the reckless behaviour and are working together to stop the malicious activations.
Parents and carers have been made aware of the issue with the school pleading to support them in raising awareness with students on the effects of the careless conduct.
South Ayrshire Council said they take incidents of maliciously setting off the school fire alarm “very seriously” and that appropriate action is taken, where culprits have been identified.
A Council spokesperson said: “Staff are reminding students of fire evacuation procedures during house assemblies and, in conjunction with the school’s campus officer, students are being asked to work with school staff to ensure that those maliciously setting off fire alarms are quickly identified, as these incidents impact on learning and teaching time, which is the main priority for the school.
“Students have also been reminded of the important work that the fire service do and that these false alarms may place other members of our community at risk.
“The school is in contact with Officers from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to arrange visits to the school and reinforce this message, while council property officers are providing advice to the school on current building security measures, to mitigate further incidences.
“Parents and carers have also been made aware of these false alarms, through the school’s multiple communication channels, and have been asked to support the school by raising awareness with students on the effects of this malicious action.”
Police Inspector Ian McColl said the force's campus officer is working with the school and staff to stop false alarms and, if need be, identify those involved moving forward.
He added: “Education is key in terms of making it clear to those pupils who are involved of the impact their behaviour has on those within the school, but also further afield when the SFRS have to attend, drawing them away from their other duties and ability to save lives of those who actually may need their help.”
Ian McMeekin, SFRS’s Local Senior Officer for East, North and South Ayrshire, said: “Genuine emergencies are time critical and we don’t want our firefighters tied up attending alarm activations that turn out to be malicious.
“We are committed to working with schools, communities and partner agencies to engage with young people to help reduce these types of unnecessary incidents.”
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