THE sun shone yesterday for the children of Midlothian as they left their classes to start the holidays. But the mood was dampened by a series of warnings to be on their guard.
Three days earlier the partially clothed body of Jodi Jones was found on a secluded right of way called Roman Dyke in Dalkeith. Police officers involved in the investigation have described it as the most violent crime in the area for almost three decades.
Yesterday pupils, mostly accompanied by parents, were among those adding to the growing floral tributes placed at the entrance to the pathway less than 200 yards from the murdered 14-year-old's home.
Among them was a bouquet of six red and white roses believed to have been left by Luke Mitchell, Jodi's boyfriend.
The message read: ''The finest day I ever had was when tomorrow never came. I love you. Luke.''
Shona Lewis, 42, summed up the mood in the town. She said: ''I have twin girls, aged six, who go to St David's Primary. I'm terrified to let them out of my sight. You're always worried about where your kids are, but this is something different. It's horrific.''
Amid heightened public concern, police issued advice to local youngsters and parents for the holiday period. About 10,000 school pupils from across Midlothian have been given detailed safety information leaflets.
Superintendent James Tilston, a community officer, indicated that parents might consider buying personal attack alarms for youngsters.
''They could be quite a useful device. It may be helpful, it may not but it adds to the safety and security of the individual. We know these are difficult times in Midlothian.''
He also urged children to walk in pairs or groups, and to stick to main routes. Parents, he said, should also be made aware of journey plans.
As he spoke, colleagues were dealing with more than 350 calls so far received from members of the public as part of the inquiry. These have included reports of people acting suspiciously, strangers in the area, and people whose behaviour had appeared to have changed dramatically during the week.
Tom Martin, a detective inspector involved in the investigation, said there were still no confirmed sightings of Jodi after the time she left her home in the Easthouses area shortly after 5pm on Monday.
At the time Jodi, who was found murdered shortly before midnight, was wearing what he said was a ''distinctive'' blue baggy hooded sweat top with a logo made up of several different colours. It had been ''over-sized'' for someone of her slight build. Her clothes are now being DNA tested to see if any traces of her attacker can be found on them.
The 14-year-old was the victim of a frenzied attack during which her throat was slit. As she struggled with her attacker her breast was also cut.
Detectives continued an extensive search of the scene where the teenager's body was found, as well as carrying out door-to-door inquiries around the town. Police liaison officers are still helping Jodi's family to cope with her murder.
At the moment there are no plans to involve relatives in the public appeal for information.
As children left St David's Roman Catholic High School in Dalkeith, where Jodi was a pupil, Donald MacKay, the council's director of education, said it had been a difficult week for youngsters across the region.
''It's also been difficult for the wider community who often hear of these kinds of things happening in other communities, and they always seem at a distance - but suddenly this is in the local community and the community feels concerned and vulnerable because of it,'' he said.
The education department has also urged youngsters who want to discuss their personal safety or want to talk about the murder to phone pupil support services on 01875 823 699.
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