Police force undertaking “rapid and thorough review” after Hertfordshire couple arrested over complaints made about primary school

The Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has asked for an “explanation” from the Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Constabulary, after a couple were arrested over complaints they made about their child's primary school, which included comments in a parents' WhatsApp group.

Hertfordshire PCC Jonathan Ash-Edwards said there had been “a fundamental breakdown in relationships between a school and parents, that shouldn’t have become a police matter.”

The parents told The Times they were held for 11 hours on suspicion of harassment, malicious communications, and causing a nuisance on school property.

According to the report, the couple said they had previously been banned from entering the primary school after “questioning the recruitment process for a head teacher” and “criticising the leadership” [of the school] in a parents' WhatsApp group.

The couple told The Times they emailed the school "regularly" following the ban to address issues relating to the needs of their child, who suffers from epilepsy and is neurodivergent and registered disabled.

On 29 January, the couple were arrested following reports of harassment and malicious communications.

Hertfordshire Police described the arrests as “necessary” to fully investigate the allegations, adding that following further investigations, officers deemed no further action should be taken due to “insufficient evidence”.

Following coverage of the story in The Times, Jonathan Ash-Edwards posted on X: “While people should be courteous and go through the proper channels when raising concerns about a public service, the public should be able to express their views without worrying they’ll get a knock at the door from the police.

“[…] Following The Times’ story, I have been in contact with the Chief Constable to ask for an explanation. The Chief Constable is undertaking a rapid and thorough review in order to provide that. I will be discussing his findings at my Accountability & Performance Meeting on Tuesday, which is webcast to the public for transparency.”

The Commissioner added that he would look at what more can be done with mediation services in Hertfordshire, “to help amicably resolve disputes without police involvement”.

The primary school has been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson