Child given toy knife at Shoreham Fire Station open day

Emergency services are investigating after the boy was given the plastic weapon at Shoreham fire station's open day - saying it "does not align" with their values.

Dad Thomas Evans said the imitation blade - complete with a knuckleduster handle - was "inappropriate and does not teach children well" after it was dished out as a prize inside a police badge and handcuff set.

He took to social media to share his fury at the emergency services who organised the event, in light of recent stabbings which have claimed the lives of several young people.

My son went to a Fire and Police open day earlier. They had stands and fun games with rewards. As a reward my son got a police style hand cuff and badge set. In the set was this knife. Plastic of course. But surely inappropriate and doesn't teach children well @sussex_police ?? pic.twitter.com/4ZqHeD7Awb

— Thomas Evans ♿ 🇬🇧 #Kemi4Leader (@ThomasEvansAdur) August 17, 2024

Hundreds of families descended on Shoreham Fire Station last weekend for its annual open day, with live demonstrations, games and stalls showcasing the work of the emergency services.

But after his son took part in a game and received the police set as a prize - dad Thomas took the serrated plastic cutter away before he could be influenced.

Sussex Police said that although they had officers at the event, they were not aware of the kits being handed out, and were the responsibility of a third-party stall holder.

One of the displays at the fire station (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

A spokeswoman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, which runs Shoreham fire station, said: “We have been made aware of suggestions on social media that a toy knife was given as a prize to an attendee of Shoreham Fire Station Open Day by a third party stall-holder.

“We are currently investigating the matter with the independent stall holders who attended the open day and are in contact with the family involved as well as Sussex Police.

"We are taking this allegation extremely seriously, and would like to assure families attending our fire station open days that this does not align with the values of West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.

“Our open days are organised to offer families living in our communities an insight into the work that we carry out as a fire and rescue service."

Read more: Boy found guilty of murder in city centre knife attack

Fire bosses say that stallholders will be under more scrutiny in future to ensure prizes given out are suitable for the event.

The spokeswoman added: "Each of the stall holders in attendance were invited in good faith.

“While our investigations continue, we will be working with all stall-holders attending any future events to ensure that prizes given out are appropriate and align with our values."