Praise for PC heroes
VIEWERS MOVED BY OFFICERS IN MISSING CHILDREN SERIES
Reporter VIEWERS watching a new show about finding missing children praised Durham police officers for the way they safely tracked down two children who fled their homes.
BBC1’s Reported Missing was shown last night for the first time, with its debut episode featuring the stories of two County Durham kids who ran away after suffering bullying.
Teenager Katie wrote her parents a two-page letter to tell them she was so traumatised by school bullies that she planned to end her life.
The cameras followed Durham Constabulary officers on a search of woodland areas, a quarry and a railway – but they could not locate the 13-year-old. Eventually, a farmer contacted officers saying he thought he’d spotted Katie. Thankfully she was found, and moved viewers penned emotional messages on social media – many taking the opportunity to thank officers for their potentially lifesaving work.
On Twitter, John Gardiner, from Durham, wrote: “Brilliant policing. Care, compassion and intelligent work by kind people in Durham Police . Well done all.”
Many were left heartbroken to see bullying had driven a 13-year-old girl to leave her parents a suicide note. One viewer, from Newcastle, wrote: “Reported Missing is heartbreaking TV. Bullying has so much to answer for. It steals lives, and it’s the cruellest thing you can ever do. I see it online, and it staggers me.”
Lou Richardson, from Sunderland, tweeted: “I’m in absolute pieces seeing these poor families going through such a scary situation.”
Josh, 12, also fled his home due to bullying.
He managed to get all the way to South Shields from Darlington before being found. He was bullied at school and ran away after an argument with his mum over a tablet computer.
The watching public was touched by the personal way Durham Constabulary’s PC Simon connected with superhero fan Joshua on his way back to Durham. The PC made a “pinky promise” with the 12-yearold.
Alex Ball, from Nottingham, wrote: “Thought the PC with Joshua dealt with him in a superb manner.” Others praised officers for the way they comforted extremely stressed families while their kids were still missing. And, perhaps most importantly, emotional viewers thanked brave Joshua and Katie for sharing their stories.