A FATHER is outraged after police left his eight-year-old son at a house where drugs had been discovered.

Sussex Police are investigating the incident in which two officers opted to leave the boy at a Brighton property despite finding a “substance” at the address.

The child’s parents had been separated temporarily and were in dispute about where he should go after school.

The boy’s father, who asked to remain anonymous, said he had arranged to pick the child up.

But the mother also arrived and when the police were called officers took her and the child to another address, where they found cannabis.

The father is now angry that the police then decided to leave the boy there with his mother.

He said: “The police deemed they would take him out of my duty of care. I had rung the school to inform them of the situation but when we got there she called the police.

“I explained everything to the officers and I had cleared it with the school.

“When I heard what had happened I don’t know how I held it together. It is just incredible. I am being fobbed off. They endangered my son’s health and welfare.”

It is understood the parents have now been reunited.

Chief Inspector Dave Padwick said: “We understand the difficulties in this situation.

“Officers attended a Brighton address and agreed that the boy should stay with his mother as were his wishes. A substance was seized from the address and this is being investigated.

“As a result, an assessment was made as to the suitability of the child being left at his mother’s address.

“The father has made a formal complaint in relation to the decision and this is being investigated.

“We are working closely with partnership agencies who are supporting the family.”