TEACHERS are going back to the classroom for a lesson in the law.

Northumbria Police are running a half-day course tomorrow, in Sunderland. It aims to help secondary school teachers understand the role of the police and criminal justice system, so they can then advise their pupils.

PC Neill Wrightson, youth issues officer at Sunderland City area command, said: "Now that the subject of citizenship, in particular the rights and responsibilities of the individual, is part of the national curriculum, it is important that teachers understand the issues involved.

"As this is a new subject, we recognise that many teachers may not be aware of what happens when someone is arrested, brought to a police station for questioning and perhaps cautioned or charged.

"We are pleased to be able to help bridge this knowledge gap."

Twenty teachers from schools across the city will attend the course, covering subjects ranging from the age of criminal responsibility and custody procedure, to interviews and appearing in court.

Officers will also discuss how they tackle youth issues, crime and disorder, the rules of evidence gathering, police powers of stop and search, and the law on drugs and alcohol misuse.

The session will include a tour of the station and a visit to the cells.

The idea for the training session came from the career department of the youth service, Connexions.