STUDENT police officers had to deal with abusive drunks and tackle shoplifters as part of their training yesterday.

Luckily for them, the would-be criminals were all being played by volunteers.

The event was part of a 17-week training course undertaken by the students at York St John College.

They spent the day patrolling alongside experienced officers at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, in York.

Sergeant Iain Sirrell, the force's training college manager, said: "This is the first time we have organised the practicals in this way and I'm sure it will be very challenging and beneficial to our students, who will be doing this for real in three weeks time when they become fully-trained police officers."

Sgt Sirrell thanked McArthurGlen for supporting the training exercise, and also the role-play volunteers who are local college and university students.

All North Yorkshire Police recruits attend the 17-week training period at York St John College.

The force is the first in the country to provide probationer training in this way.