DRUG use, county lines gangs and knife crime were the subjects of a hard-hitting crime awareness day at a Rugby secondary school.
Award-winning speaker Paul Hannaford told students from Years 9, 10 and 11 at Avon Valley School about his real-life experiences of and insights into the consequences of crime and addiction.
The school also welcomed police officers and PCSOs from Rugby Police Station.
The team, who form part of the local Safer Neighbourhood Team, set up a knife detection arch which is used as part of Operation Sceptre, a nationwide campaign aimed at tackling knife crime.
The police staff remained on site all day, running group talks during which students had the chance to ask questions about crime, the law, and the role of the police.
Headteacher Alison Davies said: “Our aim for the day was to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of drug and substance abuse, as well as knife crime.
“Paul Hannaford, who has worked with us for a number of years, is an excellent speaker. The students always listen to what he has to say and are shocked by his life story; this goes a long way towards reinforcing the work already completed by the students in this area.
“We are also very grateful to the staff from Rugby Police Station for spending the day with us and for interacting positively with our students.”
