Havant lollipop man left '˜anxious and intimidated' after ongoing abuse from group of schoolboys

Simon Sellwood said he has been subjected to verbal and physical abuse by teenagers from Warblington School in Havant and that he is being bullied.

The 47-year-old crossing patrol works for St Alban's Catholic Primary School and has been sworn at and called a paedophile, fat and other names, while one of the youths tried to kick him and his crossing patrol sign.

Police are investigating the situation and Warblington School has been in touch with the pupils' parents and a local PCSO in efforts to stop the problems, which according to headteacher Mike Hartnell, have now ceased.

Mr Sellwood, who has worked as a lollipop man for 12 years, said: '˜There have been two incidents which I've reported to the police but the abuse has been going on for a couple of months.

'˜I get shouted at, sworn at, called a pervert and a paedophile and other names.

'˜I've been back and forth with the school during this time and it's still been going on.

'˜On Thursday morning I was abused again and this often happens in front of parents.

'˜It makes me feel angry and it's sad that when my partner asks me if I've had a good day at work I have to say no. 

'˜I enjoy my job but these same boys make me feel intimidated and anxious.

'˜I can only hope it stops now.'

Mr Sellwood, from Horndean, said PCSOs have visited St Alban's Road, where he crosses primary school children, but that the teenagers do not act while they are there.

He has been working for the school for just over a year.

Three pupils have been spoken to about the incident by Warblington School.

Headteacher Mike Hartnell said: '˜Following a report of inappropriate behaviour by some pupils towards a school crossing patrol, I have spoken to the school crossing patrol officer and to our pupils.

'˜Having identified the specific pupils involved in the incident, I, together with our local Police Community Support Officer met all parties, as well as the pupils' parents, to discuss the matter and the circumstances relating to it with a view to preventing a re-occurrence.

'˜The matter has now been concluded. We have a clear behaviour policy at this school which we expect students to abide by and we are very grateful to our parents for their support in this and, in all other areas of school life.'

A spokesman from Hampshire police said: '˜We are investigating following reports of an assault.

'˜It was reported that between 3.10pm and 3.20pm on October 19 a man in his 40s was subjected to verbal abuse by a group of youths before one of the boys assaulted him.

'˜Police have been informed that the behaviour of this group, described as teenage boys, had been ongoing for approximately a month prior to this report being made to police.

'˜On November 15, we received a further report that the victim had been subject to more verbal abuse by a member of the group.

'˜Officers have attended the area on a number of occasions but have not located the group involved at those times. Enquiries are on-going.'

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 44180393783.