School cop cadets to cut junior crime

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The proposals - modelled on Army cadet schemes - will give children as young as 14 the opportunity to take part in police "sting operations" and learn skills such as dog handling and self-defence.

Senior Met officers say the aim of the scheme, due to be piloted shortly, is to improve links between the police and teenagers, particularly in areas suffering high levels of youth offending.

They believe it will give police a clearer picture of the perpetrators and their victims and offer pupils positive activities for their spare time. The plans have already won the backing of Attorney General, Baroness Scotland.

Commander Rod Jarman, the officer in charge of the project, said the aim was not to extend "policing into the classroom" but instead offer teenagers the chance to learn new skills and contribute further to their communities.

Pupils who joined cadet forces could be asked to carry out supervised "test purchases" of alcohol and cigarettes to catch retailers selling to under-age youngsters. There would also be sports and other outdoor activities.

Cadets would take part in crime prevention work such as leafleting, cycle stamping and mobile phone marking. Other potential tasks will include helping supervising local events such as fetes.

Teachers could also be encouraged to become special constables with full powers of arrest so that they can lead the junior crime-fighting units. Around 2,000 young people aged between 14 and 21 are already members of the police cadets in London.