POLICE will have an additional 14 'officers' patrolling the neighbourhoods in Plymouth next Wednesday.

Pupils from six Plymouth junior schools are stepping out with their local neighbourhood officers for an insight into patrolling in their areas.

The schools taking part include: Manadon Vale Primary, St Edward's Primary, Eggbuckland Vale, Austin Farm, Compton Primary, Widey Court.

Students from Eggbuckland Community College will also have the opportunity to patrol with officers after school.

The operation aims to increase confidence in young people, in statutory services, and to deal with peaks of anti-social behaviour, or bullying, by some young people following the end of the school day.

Sgt Clive Collier said: "This initiative provides us with a great opportunity to build stronger links with the schools and their pupils. It will give the pupils a real insight into what it's like to police their neighbourhoods and build bridges between the young people in Plymouth and local businesses. We will be gathering feedback from the youngsters, to help them inform the direction of further operations in the future."