Boy on mission to deliver cupcakes to every police station in Scotland

By Elizabeth Hunter

A four-year-old boy is on track to visit every police station in Scotland - to hand out over 1,000 cupcakes as a thank-you to officers.

Hamish-James Dean, 4, has visited 88 stations across the country so far, handing out more than 1,000 cupcakes to officers from Annan to Inverness.

After witnessing news footage of riots in England following the Southport stabbings in August, Hamish-James became worried about the safety of police in Scotland.

Mom Lucy, 32, decided to take Hamish-James to the Fringe in their hometown of Edinburgh - and encountered a police officer who took the time to chat to Hamish.

From there, Hamish's passion for policing grew, waking his mom up the following morning to ask to take baked goods to their local police station - and it quickly became a family tradition.

"It all started when the riots started going on in England. I couldn’t shield Hamish from it – it was on the news, all over TikTok and Facebook," said Lucy.

"He got upset because he was seeing police officers being thrown about and pushed around.

"I decided I would take him to the Edinburgh Fringe, to show him it was all okay when he started worrying about it happening here. There was a police van there, and the police officer there was the first police officer to take the time to talk to Hamish.

"When he woke up the next day, he asked to take some water and cakes to the police in town.

"We visited St. Leonard’s, our local police station, and handed out bottles of water and went to Greggs to get them some cakes.

"Once we started visiting other stations, Greggs started to get a bit expensive! We started baking goodies, and Hamish was really excited about that.

"He cracks the eggs, helps with the mixing, and helps with the decorations – he decides the colors and the sprinkles!

"This is about our fifth or sixth week. Hamish has nursery three days a week, so we don’t go those days, but we go a few times per week."

Hamish and mom-of-two Lucy have yet to visit the islands and Aberdeenshire stations - but says she plans to very soon.

Hamish enjoys learning about police equipment and roles at each station he visits - with officers happy to show him around and explain their jobs.

"Every single time we’ve go into a station, Hamish explains what he’s doing at the front desk, and the police officers seem so excited when they come out," said Lucy.

"I thought they’d say thank you, but I didn’t think they’d take him into the police station and show him around.

"They’re not only showing him around, but they’re teaching him things as well.

"He’s learning about the equipment they wear on their belts - and he knows how to put the sirens on in a police van like a professional.

"They have had such a great and positive impact on Hamish, which is why we want to visit every station in Scotland."

Proud mom Lucy says the police are "all Hamish talks about" and says his dream is to be an officer when he grows up.

She also thanked Police Scotland staff for the kindness and consideration they have shown Hamish-James.

"The change in him has been amazing. His confidence has grown – he’s comfortable around the police and he’s become more confident in talking to people," Lucy said.

"The officers are always so encouraging, and say it's so nice to see a wee boy so interested in the police.

"Being a police officer is a big dream of his. He’s even got a Police Scotland uniform – and I can never get him out of it!

"It makes me so proud. Hamish is only four, and to wake up one day and decide to do that was amazing. None of this has come from me – this was all Hamish.

"I’m the proudest mum right now – he’s got such a big heart."