TROUBLE with children fighting at Carterton's Carrington Park has been sorted out, say police, and the park should be seen as a safe place for children and families. Sergeant Glenn Taplin, of Carterton, said yesterday that two or three events in a short time a few weeks ago gave the impressionof a big problem -?"but when you looked at it, it was the same kids doing the same stuff". Carterton School principal Pat Gallagher this month warned parents to keep their children away from the park because of fights and threatening behaviour. Mr Taplin says there have been no complaints since they spoke to a group of four children, aged 11 to 13, and their parents. Mr Taplin said "time will tell" if the meetings with the children and their families would work, but in the meantime, "I believe the park's very safe. There have been no (more) reports of problems, and it's well used", Mr Taplin said. "There's nothing coming through that it's not a safe place to be." Mr Taplin said four children had been "having problems among themselves and with other kids". The troubles seemed to be a "fallout between friends", after a playfight involving stones "went pear-shaped" when someone was hit. Constable Pete Cunningham, who was involved with the investigation, said the trouble began with a "big stone fight, that got out of hand". "It took a bit of unravelling. There were different stories coming out," Mr Cunningham said. Mr Taplin said: "I would like to think the park is a place of enjoyment with the family."
