Pupils shake the hand at the end of the long arm of the law

As part of Junior Neighbourhood Watch Week Kenilworth-based officers visited Burton Green Primary School.

The year six pupils, aged between nine and ten, were wowed when they got the chance to clamber in police cars and put the flashing blue lights and siren on.

And some might even have had thoughts of a life in the force after trying on police helmets and getting close up with the handcuffs and batons.

While some had to put their powers of observation to the test after an officer dressed as “a man in a boiler suit”, and unbeknown to the children, went into class to measure windows and pupils were then called on to describe him in a mock witness statement.

The school in Hob Lane was the first to be visited in the Kenilworth cluster of schools that are taking part in an initiative to improve links between youngsters and police.

Kenilworth beat manager Sgt Pete King said: “It’s been great fun. The course has played a huge part in breaking down many of the barriers associated with the police and young people and provided an excellent foundation from which to build strong relationships with the younger members of our community. It’s been about building trust and confidence.

“It’s an educational module that compliments the existing school curriculum. It’s aimed at year six pupils, whereby they are introduced to the concept of neighbourhood watch, neighbourhood policing and community safety.

“Essentially, this involves a series of fun workshops, fun activities and group discussions.

“The intention is to roll out the project amongst other schools in Kenilworth and therefore build up greater trust and confidence whilst bridging the gap between young people and the police.”

Headmaster Marcus Bridger is an enthusiastic supporter of the initiative, saying: “It’s been a very productive project and I would encourage other schools to take part.

“It’s been an overwhelming success and the whole school community has reacted well. They came in not as a PC with a surname, but as a Sgt Pete or a Pc Craig – it’s about getting to know you.

“We started off with an assembly for the whole school and the officers told the children about their kids and pupils were allowed to try on the police kit.

“They brought in some of the police vehicles, which was fantastic, and we had the sirens going.

“I think it was a very good exercise and building on a relationship and looking at what the police do in safeguarding us.”