A class of Aberdeenshire pupils have been praised after contacting police to raise concerns about littering in their school’s garden.
And the youngsters not only showed their social conscience, but ended up helping one of nature’s favourite creatures.
The Newmachar children wrote letters to their local constable to tell them about the “piles of rubbish” that had been left in their wildlife garden by litter bugs.
They cultivated a corner of their playground and installed a camera to find out what wild creatures visited during the night and one prickly character grabbed the attention of the pupils – a lone hedgehog who they named Winnie.
She could be seen on camera snuffling around the garden and would often find shelter underneath the garden’s shed.
“We thought that with all the rubbish she might get stuck,” said Evan Buchan, 8. “There were bottles and lots of plastic bags lying around and we were worried about Winnie.”
Deputy head at Newmachar, Katherine McPherson said the pupils had all written a letter to the Garioch community policing team and they had been “delighted” when they got a response.
In his letter, constable Steve Middleton praised the children for their community spirit.
He said: “Like you, a lot of people take pride in their homes, communities and the environment and they should not have to accept vandalism, nuisance or other acts of anti-social behaviour.
“I was sorry to hear about the mess and litter being left behind and understand how concerned you are about the dangers this causes pupils and Winnie the hedgehog.”
Eden Lawson, 9, said: “Winnie’s favourite food is peanut butter. We have been leaving little treats like that out for her and we think she has been eating them.
“We have also seen a little mouse, a rabbit and a bird on the camera.”
Miss McPherson said it had been “great” to see the children “nurture a pride” in their surroundings and added: “They were very concerned for their hedgehog.
“But PC Middleton assured us they would be making regular checks on our garden at nights and at the weekend to keep her safe.”
