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25-08-2005 Scotsman Mounted police reassure residents as special inquiry e-mail set up By Gethin Chamberlain Chief News Correspondent MOUNTED police officers took to the streets of Livingston yesterday to offer reassurance to people worried about the murder of 11-year-old Rory Blackhall. The mounted officers joined other uniformed and plain-clothes officers on duty around three schools in the area in which Rory died - Meldrum Primary School, where he was a pupil, Deans Community High School and St John Ogilvie Primary School. Police have been keen to offer reassurances to the local community and to work with them in the hope of coming up with vital clues which will lead them to Rory's killer. Eager to reach as many potential witnesses as possible, they yesterday launched a special e-mail to allow the public to send in information on the case. Officers hope it will encourage more people to come forward, despite reporting a successful response to their appeal so far. A dedicated e-mail was used successfully during the Jodi Jones murder inquiry. Detective Inspector Tom Martin said: "More and more people now have computers at home and it is only right we explore all possible avenues for the public to send information to us. "Sometimes people don't have the time or energy to contact the police by the usual methods of picking up the phone or going to their nearest police station. "Having an e-mail address means they send us any information they have about our investigation into Rory's murder from their own home." Police also hope the e-mail system may appeal to children who would otherwise be nervous of approaching a police officer. Rory, from the Adambrae area of Livingston, disappeared after being dropped off as usual by his mother in a bus lay-by 300 yards from Meldrum Primary School last Thursday morning. His body was found on Sunday, about three-quarters of a mile north of the point where he left the car, under a small green Outbound-brand tent described as old and in a poor state of repair. His blue Puma school rucksack and its contents have not been found. Two memorial assemblies were due to be held at the school today, one for younger children and another for older pupils. A spokesman for West Lothian Council said: "All the staff and pupils have been shocked and saddened at the loss of Rory. "The two school assemblies have been arranged by the head teacher and the school chaplain. "A further event will be arranged at the school at an appropriate time in consultation with pupils and parents to fondly remember Rory." Pupils and teachers have been among the hundreds of mourners who have placed flowers, cards and soft toys at the end of the path where the body of the youngster was found. Many parents are now choosing to escort their children to and from the school, fearing that the killer will strike again. Yesterday, the mother of another murdered Scottish schoolboy said it would take years for the family to come to terms with the death. Patsy Simpson, the mother of murdered Aberdeen schoolboy Scott Simpson, said her heart went out to Rory's parents. "It's something that I live with every day - it never ever goes away," said the mother-of-six. "Eight years have passed and it still feels like yesterday." Her son Scott was missing for five days after disappearing from a playpark near his Aberdeen home in 1997. * Members of the public with any information can e-mail it to the inquiry team at: roryblackhallenquiry@lbp. pnn.police.uk
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................................................................................................................. Copyright ©2004 Gethin Chamberlain. All rights reserved. |
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