30156/1POLICE are becoming a familiar sight in a Trowbridge school as part of a new initiative in the town.

Police Community Support Officers are holding monthly drop-in sessions at the John of Gaunt School to try and build a better relationship with youngsters in the town.

Inspector Glynn Hookings, of Trowbridge police, said: "We are looking at a number of initiatives to try and support the young of Trowbridge.

"The aim of the school surgeries is that instead of the school kids having to come to us, we are going to them."

Officers will be at the school on the last Friday of every month and have already made two visits to familiarise themselves with school life and the campus.

They will be allocated a room where youngsters can go and see them in confidence, either about specific problems or to talk though general issues.

Headteacher Andy Packer said: "There is a lot of evidence to suggest that communities where there is good interaction and communication between the police and the rest of community is good, crime levels fall.

"Particularly where young people are concerned, they stop seeing the police as people who simply deal with crime and start seeing them as people who can help."

It is hoped youngsters will take the chance to discuss issues surrounding school life, such as any problems with bullying, as well as problems they might experience in the town.

It is also an opportunity to learn more about the work of the police on a day-to-day basis, and even to discuss career options.

Mr Packer said: "It is very much a pro-active approach and a long term approach to creating a co-operative community and a successful community."

If the scheme proves successful the police hope to run surgeries at the town's other secondary schools.

They are also working with The Clarendon College to set up workshops looking at the issues surrounding anti-social behaviour.

Insp Hookings said: "We want to inform young people about the impact of anti-social behaviour, both on the perpetrators and the community."