A NEW era for policing in York was beginning today.

Pupils heading back to Westfield Primary School after their Easter break were welcoming a team of uniformed police officers to their corridors.

The safer neighbourhoods team for the Westfield area will be permanently based in a room at the school as of today - and if their new home is a success it could be the way of things to come across the city.

Inspector Colin Moreton, of York police, said: "This is a major step forward for policing in York and is a pilot project for North Yorkshire Police which, if successful, could be implemented in other areas across the county.

"Although the school is not going to be a general police station open to the public, there are key benefits for the Westfield policing team to be based at Westfield Primary school.

"The team will start and finish duty at the school which is located centrally within the beat. This cuts down on travelling time from Fulford Road police station and allows officers to be deployed in the area quickly.

"Part of the role of the safer neighbourhoods policing teams is to integrate into the community and to be accessible. Working closely with the next generation as they grow up and supporting their families will, hopefully, have long- term benefits."

He said: "Multi-agency partnership working has proved to be very effective. The school is a children's centre and, as such, has several other agencies based there which opens up a wealth of possibilities. We will also be using other locations within the ward to hold surgeries and events to make the team more accessible to the public."

He thanked Mark Burnett, head teacher of Westfield School, for his support for the project.

The police team spent a week at the school in January as part of an initiative to work with pupils and staff, and officers took part in lessons as well as spending time in the playgrounds talking to the children.

The Press reported last year how local policing teams are to be based in York schools as part of plans for a £27 million redevelopment of the North Yorkshire force's buildings.

North Yorkshire Police plans to replace and refurbish its existing buildings and base about 50 teams of officers in community facilities such as schools, libraries and health centres.

Westfield Primary School is the first to get bobbies in its classrooms and will act as a pilot scheme for the rest of the county.