PUPILS at a Salford school welcomed their new member of staff today - PC Phil Williams.
His new beat will be Buile Hill High where he will be patrolling the grounds and working with 1,100 children.
For the past three years he has been the community bobby for Irlams o'th'Height which includes the school. But now he will have his own office at the school.
The initiative is part of the government's programme to tackle truancy and bad behaviour in the country's schools and officers will also be based at schools in Manchester, Oldham and Bolton.
Phil, a father-of-two from Bolton, said: "My most important role will be to forge links with the school and the children.
"I think my presence will have an effect on discipline but not in a threatening way. I am here to advise and support staff.''
He will also work with children at six feeder primary schools nearby.
Pupil Claire Cope, 14, said: "I think having a police officer at the school will make us feel safer. I feel OK about it.
Lessons
"He can help us in the class too talking about the impact of crime. Some pupils feel a bit weird about it but I think they will get used to it.
"There is not that much trouble here anyway but there will be less now that we have a police officer.''
Head teacher Mrs Gina Merrett said: "The school didn't ask for a police officer, we were offered the opportunity and thought it could have a positive impact on our school community.
"It will improve relationships between young people and the police and he can contribute to our new citizenship programme.
"If he goes to deal with intruders on the site it is a job I and my deputy heads do not have to do. If he is chasing up missing items or minor vandalism it relieves the burden on senior staff. He can offer invaluable help to the primary head teachers and myself in preventing crime.
"There are many positive sides to Salford and the schools are full of super pupils but we are all aware that the crime rates are high in the city.
"An element of our young people are attracted into crime and have a negative relationship with the police. This project aims to have positive impact upon the way young people perceive the police and on the way they behave in the community.''