PRIMARY schools are teaming up with the police to take part in a scheme to promote good behaviour and educational achievement.

More than 12,500 pupils, aged from four to 11, will be invited to start collecting cards on a wallchart featuring their local community beat managers, police vehicles and dogs.

The cards include crime prevention tips and facts about the force.

Teachers and police officers will reward pupils' good behaviour and good classwork with a card.

Community Inspector Peter Dent, of Houghton-le-Spring, said: "We felt this was a good method of building on the existing links between officers and pupils.

"In particular, we wanted to make it a fun experience as well as a learning experience for the children."

Thirty-nine primary schools are taking part and the first child at each school to collect all 15 cards will win a Vtech computer.

The next 100 pupils will win either a sports centre voucher or Cineworld cinema pass for a child and an adult.

The scheme is part of Operation Gryphon, a long-term multi-agency initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour in Sunderland.

The scheme was piloted in Silksworth and Ryhope 18 months ago.

Insp Dent said: "We feel delivering serious messages in a child-friendly way will make it easier for young children to learn and we hope they will enjoy themselves at the same time."