OFFICERS are visiting schools and colleges to speak to pupils about opting to choose a life away from crime.

The Castle Point and Rochford community policing team kick-started the initiative by spending Monday at Seevic College, in Runnymede Chase, Benfleet and talking to pupils

The aim of the visit was to raise awareness over the national increase in gangs, drugs and knife crimes, and to positively encourage young people away from drugs or crime.

Roughly 2,500 pupils attended the college on the day, with officers stationed at the entrance talking to youngsters as they started their day.

The police conducted searches on entry to the school, as well as using wipes to sweep the site for drugs.

A small amount of cocaine was found in one area of the school, although the very small reading led police to believe it had been brought into the school via contact, possibly on a student’s clothes.

Sgt Mark McQuade, from the policing team, said that the day had been successful.

He said: “On Monday we hosted an engagement day with Seevic College.

“We were there from 8am to 1pm and over the course of the day we focussed on safeguarding and promoting wellbeing within young people.

“We are reacting to the problem, nationally not just in Castle Point, with gangs, drugs and knife crimes, and we want to raise awareness of these national trends.

“The main aim here was to talk to pupils, are they having issues to do with safeguarding and wellbeing? Is this a concern for them? And if so, can we help?

“We want to be able to stop the cultivation into gangs, into drugs, and show how we can offer support.

“This is something we want to push in schools across Castle Point and Rochford, and parents need to no we are engaiging with youngsters and we are visiting sites to protect young people.”

The visit highlighted the long term negative effects involvement in gangs and drugs can bring, as well as education young people into the consequences they will face if they commit crimes.

The community policing team are set for a follow up visit at Seevic next week, and are looking to make contact with schools across the area.