Two 13-year-olds charged after pupils 'took pills' and fell ill

A boy and a girl aged 13 have been charged by police after 10 pupils fell ill after apparently taking pills outside a school.

Four of the children were taken to hospital, with the other six treated by paramedics at the scene after the alarm was raised on Friday lunchtime.

It is understood the pupils took valium, also known as diazepam, a drug which acts as a tranquilliser.

The two 13-year-olds have been charged in relation to the incident at Dunfermline high school in Fife, police said on Saturday. A report will be submitted to the Children’s Reporter, a public body responsible for protecting children at risk, they added.

Phil Black, the head of Fife’s education and children’s services, said on Friday: “We called emergency services immediately and have worked with them to identify and support pupils who may have been affected.

“We have spoken to children this afternoon with police and paramedics to make sure anyone who has taken tablets has been identified and treated.

“We would urge parents to speak to their children to make sure that they have not taken tablets from anyone and to seek medical advice if they think they have.”