POLICE officers working in Wotton-under-Edge and Kingsholm are setting up a youth partnership.

Gloucestershire Constabulary will work with the Kingsholm and Wotton Neighbourhood Partnership to assist with community projects in the area.

Community Beat Officer for the area Mark Evans is also recruiting pupils in years five to ten from Kingsholm Primary, St Peter's Catholic and Denmark Road schools as part of the plan.

The young people will work with the police to deal with crime and neighbourhood priorities and help influence how they are tackled.

A programme of activity is already in place for the students for the next three months including a visit to the force control room, speed checks and an environmental audit around Kingsholm and Wotton.

PC Evans said: "I want to make young people part of the solution to tackling crime and improving their community because sometimes they are unfairly viewed as part of the problem.

"Young people in the area are just as concerned as the rest of us about crime and anti-social behaviour and it's very important we get their views and come up with solutions that will stand the test of time.

"We have eight students on board already and we're going to have plenty of opportunities for them in the coming months."