Blue light salute to Cleo's safe return
Image: Facebook
Iconic landmarks in Perth lit up in Blue on Wednesday night to salute the tireless work of police in bringing Cleo Smith home alive and well.
Sites like Optus Stadium, Council House, The Bell Tower and Yagan Square were lit up on Wednesday evening following the news the four-year-old was safe and reunited with her family after vanishing 18 days earlier.
It was Cleo’s first night spent with her family in nearly three weeks following her disappearance from the Quobba Blowholes campsite on October 16th.
The event weighed on the hearts of parents across the country and triggered an extraordinary police response that culminated in officers finding Cleo alone locked in a home in Carnarvon in the early hours of Wednesday.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested and is being questioned by police through no charges have been laid.
City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said the tireless and amazing work by WA Police in solving the case has been inspirational.
“The outpouring of emotion from people across Australia has been unprecedented since the news broke this morning that Cleo had been found,” Mr Zempilas said.
“Lighting up Council House in blue is just a simple gesture on our part to let WA Police, family and friends of Cleo and the Carnarvon community know that we are thinking of them and are relieved that Cleo has been reunited with her family.”
West Australian Police Minister Paul Papalia on Thursday said the entire state was proud of its officers.
“They have performed magnificently well. The care that they showed … they were beautifully tender with her, wonderful servants of the public and we should all be proud of them,” Mr Papalia said.
“(Carnarvon is) an incredible community and they should be proud of themselves. We watched all this time as they metaphorically and physically wrapped their arms around this family and cared for them and each other.”