Wednesday marks one year since the killing of 12-year-old Harley Watson, who died after a vehicle ploughed into pupils outside a Loughton School.

In remembrance of the much-loved youngster, Debden Park High School – where he was a pupil – will be holding two minutes applause at 12.08pm on December 2.

The time signifies Harley’s age, 12, and year group, eight, when he passed away.

Residents are invited to record themselves joining in with the clap and share it on social media under #flyhighharley.

Year 12 pupil Olivia White has also set up a petition calling for laws to be introduced to require schools to erect a line of bollards outside their gates to protect pupils.

Read more: Man admits killing Harley Watson in hit-and-run

She said: “The tragic loss of one of the most kind-hearted pupils at Debden Park High School is what made me research more into safety measures outside schools. I found there have been cases of other school communities being affected by dangerous driving, and the lack of safety measures, the same way ours has.

“The heartbreak that was left with our community that day is something I would never wish on anyone, so I’ve made it my duty that it never happens again.”

The petition, which has so far amassed almost 5,000 signatures can be signed online.

Olivia added: “With people signing the petition we can get the law passed in parliament and save many children’s lives. The law will be called Harley’s Law named after the loving boy we lost that day.”

Terence Glover, 52, previously of Newmans Lane, Loughton, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility when he appeared by videolink at Snaresbrook Crown Court today (Monday, November 30)

He also pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder of 23-year-old Raquel Jimeno and six boys and three girls aged between 12 and 16, who cannot be named due to a court order.

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