A GROUND-BREAKING police academy set up to steer teenagers away from crime has been deemed a success.

During half-term, Blakewater College in Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, was transformed into an academy for 14 to 16-year-olds to give them a taste of life as a police officer.

The project, believed to be the first in UK, saw 30 young 'recruits' from across East Blackburn join officers and take part in activities ranging from learning about forensics to the mock arrest of a drug dealer.

The participants were also whisked off to Lancashire Police's headquarters in Hutton for an insight into how the force use dogs and horses in operations.

Other tasks included team building climbing exercises at Whitehough Outdoor Education Centre, Pendle Hill.

The scheme was a joint initiative between Blackburn Police and New East Blackburn (NEB) Management Pathfinder, part of a Government's project that aims to encourage greater community participation.

And organisers pleased with how the youngsters responded hope to repeat the academy scheme in other parts of the country.

Sergeant Paul Goodhall, community safety officer for Eastern division, said: The children have learned about the job we do and the different procedures involved.

"It has helped de-mystify the police. For example, when we did a drug scene involving a bag of white substance, one child thought officers could test what it was by licking their finger like they do in Hollywood rather than sending it off for tests.

"But it has been a two-way process and we have learned a lot about the young people. It has helped break down barriers.

"It has been an experimental week but we are delighted with the way it has gone and hope to repeat it in the future."

And after getting the unique insight into police life, a number of children expressed a desire to carve out careers with the force.

"Three or four from the group have said they would like to get into the police. That really wasn't the aim of the scheme but it is a nice bonus," he added.

Blakewater College was chosen as it falls within the NEB catchment area of Audley, Queen's Park and Whitebirk.