A police scheme for young people in Cornwall has reached a milestone with its 500th work placement this summer.

The work experience scheme for students aged 14 to 16 was set up in the county to meet the needs of young people interested in working in public services.

Successful applicants are invited into a policing environment for a week to learn about what it takes to become a police officer.

They take part in a mock student officer course with such activities as taking statements, crime scene investigation, first aid, sport and meeting specialist police teams such as the dog unit, traffic officers and the underwater search team.

The scheme has been so successful that some former placements have gone on to become involved in the community police cadet schemes in Redruth and Penzance.

Sgt Marie Ward, who helps to run the course said: "Obviously we cannot expect the students to take part in real police work but they do get the opportunity to emulate the kind of things that student police officers have to do during their first eight weeks in the Force."

Supt John Green added: "We hope through offering these placements some of the barriers which sometimes exist between the police and young people can be overcome. The success of the scheme would suggest that this is happening."

A passing-out parade for students currently on the course will take place on June 8 at 2pm at Carn Brea Leisure Centre.