TEENAGERS from a Bolton secondary school will be able to quiz police officers next week at a forum set up to give them a chance to air their opinions.

A group of Year 10 pupils from St James's CE School will take part in Youth Forum - a meeting between police officers and young people from the local community.

Inspector Stephen Malley will lead the forum, along with two colleagues, when they go to the school on Monday. The agenda has been decided through discussion between pupils and Lesley Anne Porter from the Police Authority.

It will give pupils the chance to air their concerns about local issues and to put agreed questions to the officers. Police go round most of the secondary schools in the area to give teenagers a chance to speak out on issues that concern them. Issues to be addressed include drugs, racism, vandalism, traffic problems, and relationships between youth and the police.

Head of English Mrs Lynne Williams said: "Our Year 10 pupils have responded with enthusiasm and maturity to this challenge.

"They are excited by the prospect of participating in such an important event and an added benefit is that we will be able to assess them for GCSE oral coursework as they speak at the meeting."

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