A UNIQUE scheme to make schools safer is being piloted in two local schools.

Since last September, PC Jeff Williams has devoted and divided his time between Westleigh and Hindley high schools.

Full-time, uniformed police officers have become a permanent fixture in the country's high schools since the government launched its crackdown on truancy and bad behaviour in 2002.

Greater Manchester Police became one of 10 forces backing the move and identified five boroughs as 'hotspot' areas.

Although Wigan borough wasn't a problem zone

the Hindley and Westleigh schools pledged their support for better working relationships with local police in order to make their communities safer places.

And the experiment is proving so successful, it could be extended across the borough.

The School-based Police Officer (SBPO) deals with crime and disorder issues, bullying, truancy, pupils at risk of becoming offenders and other related issues.

Early indications are that truancy and exclusions have fallen, with a corresponding reduction in the trouble often related to them. Important criminal intelligence has been received by the SBPO thanks to an increase in public confidence.

Westleigh High head John Pout said: "This project is having a very positive effect on our pupils and I'm sure the same goes for Hindley High.

"As well as the long term positive impact on truancy and juvenile nuisance in the community in the evenings, PC Williams is already having a big effect on the school.

"Vandalism, intruders and burglary are down; truancy is down by 70%, targeted police programmes for individual students have virtually

eliminated any re-occurrence of problems.

"And the introduction of a restorative justice system has helped to reduce exclusions and yet still punishes pupils for misdemeanours."