A Salisbury school received a special visit from the police and a furry friend yesterday to celebrate a cyber competition winner. 

'Digi' Dog Bonnie and her handler PC Mark Jenkins visited Trafalgar School in Downton yesterday, November 23, to celebrate the Secondary School Cyber Competition 2020 winner Alfie Taylor, 15, and meet his class.  

Two-year-old Bonnie showed off her impressive skills at locating hidden digital storage devices whilst PC Jenkins explained more about police dogs and the type of work they do, as well as answering the class's questions.

PC Jenkins also brought police dog, Bree, out onto the playing fields for a quick demonstration and to also meet the children.

The Cyber Competition was held last year by Wiltshire Police Digital Investigations & Intelligence Unit, where primary and secondary school children had to create a poster to promote online safety, and the winner was announced in October 2020. 

But due to Covid, Wiltshire Police had not been able to celebrate the winners yet.  

The Primary School winner was Nieve, aged nine, from Calne. 

Detective Sergeant Sean Tregunna helped judge the entries to the competition and said: “It was a difficult choice as all the entries were of a really high standard and clearly highlighted the key messages of how to stay safe online.

"However, Neive and Alfie’s entries were particularly colourful and informative - we could see them working as a real poster!”

Detective Inspector Gemma Vinton said last year: “We were very impressed with the number of entries we received and the quality of the submissions – all participants had put so much work in and truly entered into the spirit of online safety to be able to produce such informative and creative designs.

“Since the start of the pandemic and most of us adapting to work, education and socialising moving online, it’s been more important than ever to be mindful of keeping ourselves and our information safe whilst online. 

“We’re delighted schools across our county liked the DIIU newsletter and hope they enjoyed taking part in the competition."

A police spokesperson said in a Facebook post: "Thank you again to The Trafalgar School at Downton for such a warm welcome and well done to Alfie from all of us at Wiltshire Police!"

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