POLICE YOUTH PROJECTAn initiative to encourage local youngsters to learn more about the duties of the police force began last week. Some 150 teenagers aged between 16 and 18 attended their local police station to start their first shift of the 20-week Explorer Programme. To kick-off this year’s scheme, the Explorers attended an induction day over the weekend at Bishopgarth Training School where they were welcomed to the force by Assistant Chief Constable Jawaid Akhtar. They took part in several team-building activities during the ‘ice-breaker’, before being introduced to their assigned divisions and supervisors. Between 15 and 25 explorers will be deployed in seven of the force’s divisions where they will spend two hours every Wednesday evening at their local police station. They will have the opportunity to go out and about in the community with their local Neighbourhood Policing Teams. Also each week, they will learn about different areas of the force ranging from the duties of response officers to the roles of operations support, scientific support and CID. The scheme was piloted in North East Leeds division in 2007 and is now in its third year of running across the entire force area. Assistant Chief Constable Jawaid Akhtar said: "The Explorer Programme will allow the Explorers to have a positive experience and I am delighted that so many young people have chosen to take part. The programme offers local youngsters the chance to gain a practical ‘hands on’ experience of the work of their local police allowing them to build upon their natural enthusiasm and determination. It also helps to curb any stereotypes people may have of local teenagers and demonstrates that they can have a very positive impact on local communities. The scheme is a fantastic opportunity for both the young people and the police to work together and gain a valuable understanding of each other."

ROBBERYA man was robbed on Knowl Road, Golcar on February 20. Two white males driving a silver car got out and produced a knife and demanded property. They stole £100 cash and two mobile phones.

BURGLARYTwo houses on Arthur Street were attacked. The thieves forced the locks of the upvc doors to get in. Cash and watch stolen. A house on Moorcroft Avenue was attacked in same way. Jewellery stolen. Also, house on Intake attacked in the same way, but alarm activating prevented anything from being stolen. House on Green Crescent was broken into. Lock in upvc door forced and jewellery and cash stolen. Thieves entered through an unlocked door of house on Grange Road and stole a TV, X Box and a Sony PSP. In Prospect Road, Longwood lock in upvc door snapped off. Thieves stole the occupant’s white VW Scirocco X12BJG.