Police-loving Havant youngster gets a big surprise for his lockdown birthday

Jacob-Kanu Smith turned 12 yesterday, but with the government’s coronavirus lockdown in place, was prepared to spend his special day indoors with his family.

Instead, he was treated to a happy birthday serenade from neighbours up and down Highclere Avenue, Leigh Park – and an ensemble of Hampshire police officers.

Jacob-Kanu, who was born on the day that Nwankwo Kanu scored the winner for Pompey against Cardiff in the 2008 FA Cup Final, loves watching police programmes on television.

Mum Hayley, 37, sent an email to Havant Police Station ahead of his birthday.

She said: ‘I wasn’t expecting a reply because they’re very busy, but thought it was worth a shot.

‘They called me one evening to say they would look to get someone down here – then they turned up with two police cars, a motorbike and some officers on bicycles.

‘It was just such a lovely gesture and made him so happy when they arrived.’

According to Jacob-Kanu, this was his ‘best birthday ever’.

The Glenwood School pupil’s birthday was topped off with a new bicycle and tasty birthday cake.

He said: ‘It was really exciting that the police came.

‘It’s the best thing that could have happened, I don’t think I’ll have another birthday this good.

‘Thank you to all the police officers that showed up, and thank you to all my neighbours, it was great.’

The day before his birthday, police officers went door-to-door along the street, letting everyone know what was happening and urging them to come out and sing happy birthday with them.

Tahlia Hallitt, who lives opposite the Smiths, said the birthday celebrations were ‘heartwarming’.

The 38-year-old said: ‘You see your neighbours all the time but perhaps don’t actually speak to them very much.

‘But when the police explained the situation to us we wanted to help make Jacob-Kanu’s day special.

‘My neighbour and I baked him a cake and practically the entire street turned out to wish him a happy birthday, it was wonderful.’