POLICE officers are going back to school this summer to learn how to give talks to pupils on weapons, drugs and alcohol. Officers will attend a three-day course at police headquarters in Portishead this month and give talks to students next school term. T

POLICE officers are going back to school this summer to learn how to give talks to pupils on weapons, drugs and alcohol.Officers will attend a three-day course at police headquarters in Portishead this month and give talks to students next school term.Two Weston schools are providing a room to use as a drop-in centre where pupils will be able to talk to officers about their concerns.The police hope the series of talks, along with the offices at Wyvern and Priory community schools, will cut down on antisocial behaviour.Sgt Gareth Starr said: "The lectures are another way to raise the local police profile with the pupils."We have had problems of kids carrying knives and under-age drinking, so we will be giving the talks to get them to realise what they're doing is illegal."The offices will act as drop-in centres so we can talk to pupils and prevent more antisocial behaviour taking place in communities."Building work at the schools means the offices will be available for officers in September at Priory and November at Wyvern.Wyvern headteacher Andy Russell says the police talks are very effective.He said: "It's better than an ordinary teacher talking to pupils about such issues and the message gets across."The pupils will see the police as part of the school community and get to know the officers, rather than just seeing them when there's a problem."Priory headteacher Ron Richards added: "The police hold some talks here already, but it would be nice if they could increase the number. "They're having the office here as it will help us go back to the old days of the local bobby on the beat who knows everyone.