Safety comes first for 250 primary school classmates

Almost 250 children from primary schools in the west of Edinburgh were being given vital safety training at a special open day at Oxgangs Police Station today.

Primary two pupils from Colinton, Bonaly, Pentland, St Marks, Oxgangs and Buckstone primary schools took part in talks and demonstrations from a range of organisations.

This year’s event was also expected to include presentations by police, the Ministry of Defence and Military Police, the fire service, SSPCA, council environmental wardens and the Health and Safety Executive.

The idea of holding a child safety day originated 15 years ago, with the aim of targeting pupils at the start of the new term to give them vital advice on various topics, as well as giving them the opportunity to meet senior police officers and local councillors.

Inspector Stevie Dolan from Oxgangs Police Station said: “This is a real community event that relies not only on the support of those living in the area, but of the partner agencies.”