A CHILDMINDER has praised a kind-hearted policeman who took time out to give six children a chance to try on a police hat and test the car’s siren.

PC Matt Harkness, an Essex Police officer based in Chelmsford, saw Maria Atkinson and the children she was looking after, waving at the car opposite Chalkwell Park.

Ms Atkinson, from Westcliff, lauded PC Harkness after he talked with the children for half-an-hour, while on duty. The 47-year-old said: “It was absolutely amazing.

“He was stuck in traffic. I’m always telling the kids to wave at policemen and the cars as they drive past, just to keep them smiling.

“All the kids were amazed and in awe of him and the car.

“With all the negativity about the police nowadays, it was great to do something positive with them.”

Maria told the Echo that the children she was looking after had not stopped talking about the experience since. She said: “They were colouring in police cars all afternoon.

“They all got the chance to sit in the driver’s seat and try on Matt’s hat.

“They were all in and out of the car, testing the sirens and sitting on the bonnet.

“Everyone driving and walking past was waving at the children.

“The elderly people who saw what was happening were delighted too.”

Ms Atkinson, described the kindness the police officer had shown to the children. She added: “He was such a hero.

“You don’t often get a chance to speak to such a lovely guy. He was a true gentleman.

“He stayed and talked to us for ages. He was telling us how you can always trust in the police and can always talk to them.

“Matt told us that he’s going to bring a van down to the park, full of police dressing up clothes so the kids can try even more things on and sit in the van.”