Dad claims his children were '˜put at risk'

The father, who did not want to be named, says his daughters aged nine and ten were allowed to leave the leisure centre at lunchtime and walk home to Milngavie, over one mile away.

He dropped them off at 9am for a session that he thought would end at 3pm. The girls decided they didn’t want to stay and to walk home alone.

He said: “They weren’t asked to sign out and no one stopped them leaving.

“I wasn’t at home when they got back because I wasn’t expecting them.

“Luckily my partner was there to look after them.

“I feel that my children were put at risk. It’s a dangerous walk home along a busy road.

“Also they don’t know how many children are in the building which would be dangerous if there was a fire.

“Anyone could go into the building and take children out. This is totally unacceptable.”

The father claims that staff also did not ask him for any emergency contact or medical details.

Mark Grant, general manager East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust, said: “This is not a coached session – it is a drop-in available between 9am and 4pm.

“It is not subject to special supervision and is not advertised as such.

“Colleagues supervise the areas where activities take place, but this is part of the standard daily operation of the centre – ensuring health and safety, and remaining vigilant for any suspicious behaviour.

“We do not hold a register for casual activities – it is not possible given the large number of people using the centre daily.

“As with any casual session children from eight upwards can access the facility without an adult.

“In terms of fire alarms, we have strict guidelines and operating procedures of how we evacuate the facility.”