Owing to this, our hearts go out to the father of four-year-old Amann Ahmed who learned that his little boy had embarked on a terrifying trek through the streets of Nottingham on Friday.
Despite being under the supervision of staff in his after-school club, little Amann managed to scale a five foot fence in the field next to Dunkirk Primary School before making his way through the city’s busy streets.
Having passed a railway line, canal and busy flyover, Amann was eventually spotted crying outside a cinema over an hour after he was last seen.
Commenting on the shocking incident, Amann’s understandably horrified father, Razwaan said: “I asked them [staff] how on earth they'd allowed it to happen. They apologised but couldn't explain it.”
Taking aim at the staff of the after-school club, Razwaan said: “That gate is at least five feet high. It would have been very difficult for him to get over without being seen if the staff were doing their jobs properly.”
While Amann was reunited with his parents and appeared unscathed by his spontaneous outing, his father can’t stop reflecting on the possible repercussions.
“God forbid if something bad had happened. Our boy is lucky to be alive," he stressed.
Recounting his son’s experience, Razwaan said: “He was alone in the city and frightened. He was trying to get home but he didn't have a clue where he was going.”
Commenting on the incident, Heidi Hollis, head teacher at Dunkirk Primary School, was keen to stress that her school can not be held responsible.
“The child did not escape from school. He escaped from an after-school fun club at a park. The school is extremely safe and it was locked at the time, “she explained.
Acknowledging the family’s upset, she continued: “This is obviously very distressing for the child, the family and the school. We have apologised to them and will continue to offer them support.”
Ms. Hollis insisted that safety is the school’s number one priority.
