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24-08-2005 Scotsman Don't imprison children through fear, say police ... but parents disagree By Eben Harrell and Gethin Chamberlain DETECTIVES yesterday advised parents to show restraint as they attempt to safeguard their children after the murder of young Rory Blackhall. They said that while parents should take sensible precautions, the police presence in Livingston had been stepped up and children should not be imprisoned as a result of the killing. But the words appeared to fall on deaf ears as anxious parents gathered yesterday afternoon to collect their children from Meldrum Primary school, where Rory had been a pupil. At 3:20pm, parents, grandparents, friends and siblings crowded round the gate of the school to collect the children. Earlier, Chief Inspector Jim Thomson, who is liaising with the community during the investigation, said police intended to put on more "high-visibility" patrols and plain-clothes officers would be on the ground making inquiries. "There will be officers near to, and sometimes in, schools," he said. "The message to parents is quite simple. It's understandable that you may be frightened but you shouldn't imprison your children because of what might happen. "Your children need to learn to protect themselves by remembering certain things. "Don't speak to strangers, don't accept lifts from people they don't know, remember there is safety in numbers and don't stay out late on their own." He said children should let their parents know where they were at all times, go straight to and from school, and always have their mobile phones topped up with credit. Outside the school, though, parents displayed a natural reluctance to take chances. Patricia Guckian, 58, said before picking up her granddaughter: "We are all terrified to learn it was murder, you just don't know why someone would do that, it's a wicked world. We have told her now she isn't allowed to play, she isn't allowed to talk to strangers, we are very scared." Thirty-eight-year-old Janet Aitken said: "You've got to be on guard the whole time now we know it's murder. I've told [my children] to go in pairs and never walk alone. Until whoever did this is found, things will have to be done differently." Inside the school, children have been told they can talk about issues surrounding Rory's death and there are plans to pray for Rory and his family in assemblies. Barbara Gregor, the acting headteacher, issued a short but emotional statement yesterday in which she said that counselling would be offered to pupils and a letter sent home to each parent. She also revealed plans to hold a special assembly in memory of Rory, whom she described as "a lovely boy" and "the ideal pupil". She said: "We are all shocked and deeply saddened by what has happened. Rory was a lovely boy who will be missed by everyone in the school. He was very popular with staff and pupils. Rory was the ideal pupil. He was a hardworking boy who put 100 per cent effort into everything he did. "He played a full part in the life of our school. His ready smile, sense of humour and good manners made him well-liked by everyone. The school and the council will be giving full support to staff and pupils at this difficult time." Among parents, attention has now been placed on the school itself and the safety measures in place there. Recently the school put up a security fence approximately ten feet high around its perimeter and instituted a radio communication and buzzer system at its front door. Ethel Connelly, 68, whose ten-year-old grandson attends the school, said: "There's a whole side of the school bordered by heavy brush and forests, there's no visibility, you can't see if anyone's hiding there, spying on the children. You also can't see if there are kids in there playing." She was also critical of the delay in raising the alarm: "The school did not phone Rory's parents when he did not show up at school. The alarm could have been raised earlier. At [Dean's High School] they call if a student is absent. It's mostly for truancy reasons but a call could have added hours to the search." Samantha Mathers, 35, said: "How does this happen? They are taught in school every year not to follow strangers or get into strange cars. Every year the teachers explain this, so how does this happen?" She added: "My son used to play with Rory all the time. He woke up crying the other night screaming that he wanted Rory to come back. This is very difficult for everyone." The community has also turned its attention to the wooded pathway system behind the school where Rory's body was found. Ms Aitken said: "I won't let my kids play up there now, our whole perception has changed. The pathways are very scary." Ms Guckian said: "My grandchildren are never allowed to play there. In the woods no-one can see them." Another mother added: "I take my car now to pick up my children because otherwise we would have to walk through the forest. It gave me chills even before this happened and now I can't bear it."
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................................................................................................................. Copyright ©2004 Gethin Chamberlain. All rights reserved. |
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