Highland Council tight-lipped on improving school security
Highland Council has refused to confirm if security will be tightened at schools across the region, after a convicted sex offender from Grantown was able to walk into changing rooms being used by pupils.
Concerns were raised after Scott Murray, who was jailed for 18 months in May 2012, entered Charleston Community Complex in Inverness while it was being used by schoolboys.
The facilities are on the same campus as secondary school Charleston Academy and by entering Murray (30) breached a sex offenders prevention order placed on him, banning him from entering swimming pools, gyms or leisure centres.
Murray, whose address was given as Inverness Prison, was made the subject of another order in 2015.
A council spokeswoman said "enhanced security measures" will be put in place at Charleston but refused to say what they will be.
She also refused to confirm if security will be upped at similar facilities in the Highlands, despite numerous requests by the .
Earlier this month Inverness Sheriff Court heard Murray walked past reception and through the doors into the education department on November 22, where he asked a 13 year-old girl for directions to the male changing rooms, which were being used by 24 12 and 13-year-old boys at the time.
Leisure facilities run by High Life Highland share grounds with schools at a number of sites in the Highlands, including Aviemore, Lochaber and Tain.
A council spokeswoman said: "The community centre, which has a High Life Highland reception, and the school share the same building.
"During the day the PE department uses the rear of the community building where the gyms and changing areas are.
"Enhanced security is now being put in place."
When asked for more information the spokeswoman said only "enhanced physical security measures" and refused to say what this will be.
She then advised that pupils should be in full uniform and arrive on time to help keep them safe.
"Monitoring public access to community buildings is challenging, however the safety of our young people at school and all the staff who work in them is paramount," she said.
"The cooperation of everyone in our community is important and the school has reiterated the need for young people to be in school dress code and to be in school on time so that we can then control access to our buildings for members of the public after the start of and then during the school day."
