POLICE officers have set up bases in local schools with the aim of improving the behaviour of a minority of youths who turn to crime.

Two officers - known as Behaviour Improvement Programme Officers - have been appointed in two Kirklees schools so far.

And more are expected to follow.

The idea is to help stop youngsters from becoming involved in crime or anti-social behaviour.

Pc Richard Hirst is at Moor End Technology College in Crosland Moor and Pc Bridget Brown is at Batley Business and Enterprise College.

Pc Hirst said some pupils have welcomed him and are keen to chat with him.

Others are more reluctant.

He said: "I am trying to improve the behaviour of some of the pupils with help from the teachers.

"I make it clear to them that if they are badly behaved now they are more likely to leave school with no qualifications and drift into a life of crime because no employer will take them on.

"I get involved when matters arise with pupils which need a police officer to show them the error of their ways.

"I now have a good rapport with many of the students."

He patrols the school at the start and end of the day and also during lunch and break times.

Kirklees Police community safety inspector Nick Harvey said: "The two officers work with the pupils at the schools where they are based and concentrate on issues that affect the youngsters and the surrounding community.

"They offer guidance and deal with issues such as truancy and bullying.

"It's all about helping the pupils to appreciate good citizenship and the potential consequences on themselves, their families and victims if they fall into anti-social or criminal behaviour."

He said the officers had an important role to play, building bridges in the community and making pupils and others feel safe.

"The pupils get to know the police as people, not just a uniform," said Insp Harvey.

"Similar schemes are running successfully in other parts of the country."

Pc Brown said: "I'm not here because this is a problem school by any means.

"The whole idea is to bring the police closer into the community and what better place to be based in the community than the school that serves it.

"Anything that makes the children happier at school means they will learn better.

"They'll work better and they'll forge better friendships."