South Wales Police rolls out red carpet for young VIP visitor

Meet South Wales Police’s newest recruit – 12-year-old Harrison.

The youngster, from Barry, was given the VIP treatment on a visit to our headquarters, trying his hand at everything from dispatching officers to taking moulds of footprints.

And he made a particular impression with our team of dog handlers, who welcomed him as an honorary addition to their team.

The visit came about via children’s hospice Ty Hafan, who approached local PCSO Leanne Williams to help Harrison fulfil his dream of joining the police. Harrison, a Whitmore High School pupil, has been diagnosed with a rare condition called Fibromuscular Dysplasia, which affects his heart, brain and kidneys.

The red carpet was rolled out for Harrison, who visited a range of departments including the dogs and mounted section, the joint scientific investigations unit, and the control room, where emergency and non-emergency contacts are handled.

He was delighted to be welcomed to HQ by Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan, having been escorted from school in a marked police car.

PCSO Williams, who has built a strong relationship with Ty Hafan over the years and who organised Harrison’s visit, explained:

“I built up good relations with staff at Ty Hafan Hospice, and was contacted by staff member Emily who asked if I could help in organising Harrison’s wish to meet the police dogs. 

“I really wanted to help and make this special for Harrison. I am so grateful to colleagues who helped make Harrison’s visit so special. Community engagement is another side to policing – I love my job and will always try and go over and above for the community.

“After the visit we were travelling back to Barry to take Harrison home and he said it had been an amazing day. What Harrison doesn’t realise is that watching him smile and carry out his dream made it an amazing day for me. I will never forget this day.

“He’s such a special boy – and every child deserves to have their dream come true.”

Harrison was also given gifts including his own police helmets, a high-visibility ‘tac’ vest, a range of goodies including badges and patches, and a framed picture showing him as a dog handler.

And Harrison’s mum Hazel said he couldn’t wait to show his gifts to his friends and to tell them about the experience he had had.

Hazel has passed on her thanks to everyone who helped make Harrison’s VIP experience so memorable, saying:

“He had the most amazing day and as a mum I can't thank you all enough for the kindness and effort you have all shown him.

“It means the absolute world to see my little boy, who has been through more than most, have his dreams not only come true, but completely surpassed by you and the team.”

Inspector Abi Biddle, who has spent the last three years as local policing inspector for PCSO Williams’ patch, said:

“It was an honour and a privilege to be able to do this for Harrison. We don’t do something like this very often, but it really brought out the best of our teams, who took the time to explain their work and what Harrison could see and help out with.

“I want to thank Leanne especially for everything she’s done to arrange this visit. She has worked relentlessly to piece everything together – it has been a passion of hers and is representative of the fantastic work she does out there in the community."