Junior Wardens sniff out crime prevention tips after meeting police dogs

But they took a paws from crimefighting to meet youngsters who have joined a voluntary scheme to help look after a Sheffield neighbourhood.

Members of the Burngreave Junior Wardens came face to face with the force's four-legged recruits during a visit to the police's dog unit in the Niagara area of the city.

On their visit to the centre, the boys and girls also learned about crime prevention and citizenship.

Junior Wardens also visited Sheffield's fire service at Elm Lane fire station to find out about safety and the role of firefighters.

Insp Jon Ekwubiri, of Burngreave Safer Neighbourhood policing team, said: "This is an excellent scheme, focusing on keeping young people safe and promoting positive citizenship.

"The programme is a creative way of helping local children learn more about the emergency services, and to help them think about personal safety and how to avoid potentially hazardous situations as they grow up."

The Junior Wardens Scheme is open to youngsters from six to 11 and was set up by Sheffield Homes' Burngreave Community Wardens, funded through regeneration agency Burngreave New Deal for Communities.

It aims to help children work together and learn about safety, good citizenship and environmental projects.