Police put smiles back on kids’ faces

Police put smiles back on kids’ faces

6 March 2013

TWO days after last week’s horrific bus crash involving pupils from Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick, the smiles were back on the children’s faces.

A fleet of PSNI vehicles and officers visited the Racecourse Hill school last Thursday afternoon to meet with children and staff.

Children had free rein to clamber over a range of vehicles including Land Rovers, a motorbike, police bicycles and vans and play with emergency sirens — which really went down really well.

The children also got to wear riot gear and generally have fun in the sun, with a number of them becoming police officers for the day.

The special visit also coincided with a meeting of the PSNI’s Law Enforcement Torch Committee for the Special Olympics which was held at Knockevin.

One of the highlights of the busy afternoon was the opportunity for children to see the Special Olympic torch — known as the Flame of Hope — which featured at the recent Special Olympic Winter Games in Korea.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr was at last week’s meeting where he was greeted by Knockevin principal, Mrs. Anne Cooper.

She was delighted the children got so much out of the PSNI visit. She said the event was planned before last week’s accident involving 12

Knockevin pupils at the Vianstown Road when the bus they were travelling in overturned after being struck by a van.

“In the wake of the accident we discussed if we should go ahead with the PSNI visit with staff, parents and our Board of Governors and it was agreed to proceed,” said Mrs. Cooper.

“We all felt the event should go ahead and the look on the pupils’ faces proved it was the right decision. The events of last Tuesday were a nightmare for the pupils involved, their families and staff at the school and the governors. Everyone came together and the people at the scene of the accident were so supportive and just great.”

Mrs. Cooper explained last week’s visit by police was arranged after a burglary at the Downpatrick school late last year when up to £30,000 worth of damage was caused to classrooms, medical facilities and buses.

“The visit provided a great opportunity for our children to talk to police. PSNI community officers have been here before and we think it’s important for our children to interact with the police as they don’t always see them,” the principal continued.

Mrs. Cooper said Knockevin Special School was also delighted last week to host another meeting of the PSNI Law Enforcement Torch Committee.