CHILDREN from a Ribble Valley school have been chosen to advise other pupils on crime prevention and safety after some of them became the victims of theft.

Members of the school council at Grindleton Primary School established links with Farm Watch after a vehicle was stolen from farms where some of the pupils live.

The children decided they would like to help the Farm Watch promote crime prevention and awareness in their village and catchment area.

As a result, Officers PC Tony Walsh and PC Karl Elliott came into school to talk to the children about Farm Watch, which aims to prevent crime not only at farms but houses, churches, schools and businesses in rural areas.

The officers told the children what sort of items were of particular interest to thieves and explained how they could prevent crime in simple ways such as putting their bikes out of sight instead of leaving them on the pavement.

PC Walsh, said: “The school council members were so enthusiastic they have already begun to promote crime prevention and awareness by making posters.

“Children in years three and four are also helping by writing letters to inform their neighbours of rural crime.”

The school council members are making plans to visit other school councils to tell them all about their project and show examples of the work they have done.