Two police horses and a police dog thrilled more than 220 children last Friday when they were the surprise stars of a ‘show and tell’ morning at West Thurrock Primary School.
PCSO Donna Ribbons, who organised the event had asked children to bring in items or drawings connected to a job they wanted to do when they left school. She had planned to take a few small items of police equipment to show the children while telling them about the work of police officers.
But even she was surprised when she heard that horses Bella and Patrick and their riders Dale Copley and Andy Padfield would be on patrol in the area and could drop in for a short visit. Dog handler Sgt Russ Abbott and his dog Shadow were also on duty in the district and arrived at the same time.
The whole school turned out on their playing field and pupils took turns to stroke Bella, Patrick and Shadow while asking the officers questions.
PCSO Ribbons and colleague PCSO Laura Wiseman, who both cover the West Thurrock district, were joined for the school visit by Purfleet PCSO Kelly-Marie Howell and Sgt Anna Brennan from South Ockendon police station.
The school’s deputy head teacher, Laura Fishleigh, said: “The visit has been absolutely fantastic and the children loved seeing the horses, the police dog and meeting the officers.
“The children brought in a great range of things for the event. One boy who wants to be a vet brought a cat basket and another, a hard hat as he wants to be a builder. Some of the children brought toy police hats. But it was such a huge surprise when we heard who would be visiting us from Essex Police.
“When I told the children during assembly on the Friday morning they were delighted. Some of them even thought that I was joking.
“Some of the children see police horses and dogs only on television so it was wonderful to see them at close hand and be able to talk to the riders, the dog handler and the four local officers.
“The whole event has made a great impression on the children. By getting to know about the police we can teach the children who to go to, knowing they will be safe and get any help they need.”
PCSO Ribbons is a regular visitor to the school.
“It has really helped the children to get to know us and to realise that police officers are just like any other people,” said PCSO Ribbons. “Many of the children were so impressed that they said they would like to join the force. The majority of the pupils will have fond memories of the visit. It will stick in their minds for a long time and they are now more likely to come up and say hello when they see us in the street.
"They will have good memories of the police and rather than give us abuse when they are older they will remember the time when we went to the school with horses and a police dog.”
There are plans to hold similar events in other schools in the district in the future.
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