Police officers ditched handcuffs for paddles on Friday night as they took part in a canoeing session aimed at preventing crime.

The police and Melksham Canoe Club have joined forces to provide six free canoeing sessions to young people in Melksham, with a view to improving relationships and preventing problems.

A £500 grant has been secured from Sports England to pay for coaching staff and equipment, and five 14 and 15-year-olds invited by the police to attend took part in the first session on the River Avon on Friday evening, along with PC Chris Pugh from Melksham Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Jon Finch, volunteer co-ordinator at the club, said: “It was a case of if you fall out, you fall out and it was up to them to enjoy it, and they all did. The feedback we had was ‘can we come next week?’”

“The adventure centre has attracted unwanted attention because its out of the way. It’s a different way to try to get the kids involved with what we’re doing so they might respect the club more.

“We’re hopefulwe might build a relationship.”

The first session will run for another two weeks, with a second session of three lessons starting in September.

The canoe club is prepared to offer a further two lessons to the young people so they can attempt an initial canoeing certificate.

Acting sergeant Kane Fulbrook-Smith, community beat manager for Melksham police, said: “The feedback that I got was that they really enjoyed it, and it was fun.

“It took them out of their comfort zone, but it was brilliant to see them working together.”

“It was a success and I want it continue to progress that way.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Jon and the canoe club for pulling this together. We realised we needed something to try and get the kids to be a bit more respectful of the centre and the club, and hopefully this is the way forward.