A trailblazing scheme to put a police officer in Keighley schools will soon be operational.

A woman constable from Leeds has been recruited to become the town's first classroom cop.

PC Emma Harrison will be based at Greenhead High School but will regularly visit Holy Family School and Oakbank School.

Her role will be to make the students feel safer during the school day while helping them develop good citizenship skills.

Students will see that police officers exist to support the community, rather than just to arrest people.

The plan was the brainchild of Keighley Anti-crime Partnership, which brings together police, council, businesses and community organisations.

Cllr David Emmott, chairman of the partnership, said: "It is good to know that where Keighley leads, the government follows.

"The sooner this person is in the job the better."

Cllr Emmott said the officer was experienced at working with young people. "She's full of enthusiasm and ideas, and will make a good go of it," he said.

"She will be within the school area, working there all day long. Students will know someone will do something about their problems."

Chris Slaven, Keighley's anti-crime co-ordinator, said the new officer would, hopefully, be able to quell disturbances before they became serious.

He said: "She can make a better environment for learning. Children can't learn if they're worried about who's going to get them after school.

"Hopefully, the police officer can intervene and get people talking to each other, cut out the bullying and aggression."

PC Harrison is experienced at working with young people after spending the past two years as part of Leeds Youth Offending Team.

Although she worked mostly with young criminals facing their last warning, she occasionally visited schools to talk with students about the consequences of crime.

PC Harrison takes up her new post in Keighley this month, in readiness for the new school term in September.

She admits she does not know what to expect when she begins working with Keighley teenagers.

"This is a new role," she said.