POLICE officers are to be stationed at Bolton schools in a ground-breaking initiative to make them safer places.

Mini police stations -- the first of their kind in the country -- will be set up inside the school gates as part of the Safer Schools scheme set up by the Government.

The officers based in schools will attempt to identify children who are at risk of becoming victims of crime, spot potential offenders and work closely with the community surrounding the school.

They will also look at ways of tackling a range of problems, including truancy, anti-social behaviour and bullying.

Their role will also include working with youngsters at the feeder primary schools. By working with children at such an early age, police and education chiefs hope the scheme will lead to a fall in crime. Bolton will be one of the first in the country to take part in the initiative after receiving funding from the Department for Education and Skills.

A minimum of 10 officers have been earmarked for schools in five areas of Greater Manchester.

Education bosses have not yet chosen which schools will be in the scheme, but it is expected that at least two will be in Bolton. The scheme is in its early stages and full details have not been finalised.

The head of Bolton Police, Chief Supt Mel Pelham said: "The idea of police officers working closely with other partners in Bolton is already well advanced. We are anxious to continue to build and work closely with schools and consider the issues affecting their communities.

"The police officers will tackle anti-social behaviour in that community and tackle problems such as truancy.

"One officer will be appointed to a secondary school who can then act as a co-ordinator for other officers in that area. It will be up to the Local Education Authority to nominate the schools."

Bolton's director of education, Margaret Blenkinsop, said: "This scheme will create a strong partnership between the police, the council and other agencies.

"The scheme will be optional and schools will not be forced to have a police officer. It should be innovative with links into lots of other community schemes which are already up and running, such as the Single Regeneration Bid and Education Action Zone."

Cllr Frank White, Executive member for community and social inclusion, said: "I regard it as a positive step forward. I am sure people in the community will welcome the scheme."

"This will build on police liaison work in schools and is an additional and excellent community resource.

"We are very pleased to have been chosen and have already raised the issue at a meeting with secondary heads, but will have to go back to them to organise exactly how the scheme will be run and which schools should be involved.