Chaos descended on Havering Town Hall during the public sector strikes last Thursday as eight councillors found themselves trapped inside the building after a meeting, setting off an alarm in the process.
Members of the Individuals Overview and Scrutiney committee “could not believe it” when they attempted to leave at 10.30pm to find the doors locked and the premises “deserted” due to a security mix-up with the company hired
It followed a day of drama that included an alarm going off in the reception for more than six hours, and a problem with the building’s lighting as a result of the staff strike.
Cllr Philip Hyde, vice-chair of the committee, said: “It was a very long meeting and when we came out at 10.30 the place was deserted, we went downstairs and the alarms went off.
“We went round looking for doors that were open for 20 minutes and eventually got out through a security door that wasn’t locked.
“My concern is that all the time we were there, nobody came, and we are right next door to the police station.”
Council leader, Cllr Roger Ramsey said an apology had been made to the councillors involved.
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