POLICE and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson has backed a scheme in which youngsters take an active role in their community and liaise regularly with police officers.

Mr Macpherson met the 12 Drove Primary School junior wardens last Wednesday and was impressed by the relationship that had formed between local Police Community Support Officers and the volunteers.

At their after-school club, the pupils were working on scrap books to record their activities since the scheme started in November last year, including checking for litter, fly-tipping, graffiti and damaged play equipment in the park.

They have also visited Police HQ in Devizes for a tour, and plan to visit a nursing home to make teas and talk to the residents.

Mr Macpherson said: “It has really improved relationships between the police and young people and that’s a message they have taken out into wider society.

“There is no reason it could not be extended across the town but it is need-driven and the children have to want to do it.”