Schoolchildren from primary schools across Hartlepool attended the crime scene investigation day at Lynnfield Primary School, in Grosvenor Street.

The children had the chance to act as detectives in a series of activities with the help of police school liaison officer, Alison Fawcett, of Hartlepool Police.

The children, aged 10 and 11 came from Lynnfield, Jesmond Road, Golden Flatts and Brougham Primary schools.

A house, resembling a mock crime scene, was constructed in the school grounds to give the children a real feel for a crime scene.

They then had to work in teams to solve a crime using a number of clues.

Alison Fawcett said: "The aim of the day was to gather together the gifted and talented children from four schools and let them act as detectives for the day.

"They absolutely loved it and they got to do all sorts including testing DNA samples, taking finger prints and testing fibres.

"Harry the Hamster had been stolen from the mock crime scene and the children had to solve the crime by following the clues.

"The scene was specially erected by the same firm that is currently working on the renovations at the police station. They very kindly agreed to mock up a house scene and transport it to the school on a truck.

"Police community support officers and officers from the neighbourhood action team were on hand to help out and the day was a huge success."

Alison, who leaves her job this week, was presented with a bunch of flowers by the children.