A SCHEME giving Newport youngsters first-hand experience of policing their communities has been praised by a Gwent AM.

Gwent Police's Mini Police, or Heddlu Bach, scheme involves children from Millbrook, Pill and Ringland primary schools getting the chance to of out with officers and learn more about what their job involves.

And speaking in the Assembly this wee Newport West AM Jayne Bryant applauded the project.

"The scheme's a great opportunity to inspire the next generation of police and public servants, and it's having a palpable effect on the children involved, with teachers and parents reporting big changes in many, and it's proving very popular," she said.

"And this isn't just an opportunity for improvement in police relations - the effect on those children, undoubtedly, is lifelong, promoting good citizenship."

Replying, local government and public services secretary Alun Davies said: "It's a fantastic project that has been run in Newport there, and I think it's a testament to the creativity of the police force, working with different organisations in the city, to deliver exactly that sort of process."