A WELFARE assistant who filmed youngsters at a school in Bolton has admitted voyeurism and making indecent images of children.

Adam Curnock committed the offences over the last 11 months at Harwood Meadows Community Primary School.

Police raided the 30-year-old's home in Harley Avenue, Harwood, on Friday.

He was initially arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children — and was bailed until February, 2015.

But after detectives received further information he was arrested on suspicion of voyeurism.

Bosses at the school wrote to and e-mailed parents this week to inform them of an “ongoing safeguarding investigation”.

Curnock, who has been sacked, appeared at Bolton Magistrates Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to five counts of making indecent images of children and one count of voyeurism.

It is understood one of the charges relates to the use of video footage he took on school premises.

The offences took place between January 1 and November 14 this year.

Police have contacted families who they believe may be directly affected by the matter.

The case has also been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission because it is thought that intelligence had been received on Curnock’s actions at an earlier stage.

In the letter sent out to parents, the school said: “We have been informed that the individual has been arrested and charged with a number of offences and after appearing in court, has been remanded in custody.”

The Bolton News:

The school added that Curnock would not be returning to work.

One parent, whose son had contact with the welfare assistant during his time at the school, said: “It is horrible to think I have been going to work and leaving my child with him.

“I’m mortified to find out that this has been going on while my son was there and myself and the other parents still don’t know who is involved.

“He is a local person too, who lives near us all.”

She said she had been to the school today and that parents had all been handed letters from teachers.

She added: “The teachers looked devastated. They all looked really gutted — there were a lot of parents there who were after answers.”

Another parent of a child at the school added: “Some of the parents have already been notified that they have images of their children.

"As a concerned parent I think people have the right to know.”

Parents have also been expressing their anger at Curnock’s actions on Facebook.

One parent said: “This makes me feel sick. My daughter goes there and was under his care."

Another said: "He taught my kids. There are no words to describe how I feel at the moment.”

Curnock was remanded in custody. He will appear for sentencing at Bolton Crown Court on December 5.