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Local government workers had a key role in the arrest of the killers of Baby Peter. Newham LBC has revealed that Steven Barker was delayed for more than four hours by staff at a campsite in Loughton, east London after he was spotted acting suspiciously. Praise for the quick-thinking of the workers compares to months of criticism over Haringey LBC's staff and their handling of the case. Mr Barker – who was camping at a council-run site with his brother, Jason Owen, and Mr Owen's 15-year-old girlfriend just two weeks after the 17-month-old's death – was escorted to the campsite's office because he was not a paying guest. Campsite manager Margaret Wright and groundsman David Graves recognised the man from a wanted poster and called police who asked them to delay him. They did this by providing him with free food and drinks while Essex and Metropolitan police forces debated who should make the arrest. Mr Owen and his teenage partner fled but were later tracked down at a bus stop after a helicopter search party was launched. Police believe the brothers had been in the forest to bury a mobile phone, which allegedly contained evidence of the abuse endured by Baby P. The council said staff at its campsites are trained in safety awareness and are taught to remain calm in potentially threatening situations. Mr Wright said: ‘He told us he needed to go back to his tent to get his bike, which was left with two other people. When we found out he was a wanted man and he was potentially dangerous, we knew we had to keep him here.' Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, said: ‘These two people have clearly gone beyond the call of duty. Through quick-thinking and decision making, Margaret managed to stall the unwitting killer for more than four hours until police arrived.'

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Exclusive: Newham duo praised for aiding Baby P case

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