A PRIMARY school which has forged close links with its neighbourhood policing team has bade farewell to the force’s chief constable as he prepares to retire.

Jon Stoddart visited Catchgate Primary School in Catchgate, near Stanley , County Durham, where pupils presented him with a card and scrapbook.

Headteacher Joanne Shaw said: “We asked Chief Constable Jon Stoddart to come to the school, so we could say farewell to him – and in acknowledgement of the work that we have done with the police force over the years.

“We organised a jubilee event in Annfield Plain and Catchgate, in partnership with the police and local councillors.

“And the children got involved with the neighbourhood policing team in a problem-orientated partnership called Catchgate Vision, which won an award.”

The winning team impressed judges of the Durham Police Pop Awards by helping stage a Christmas parade for children and joining forces with the primary school to brighten up the village police station and make it more welcoming.

Ms Shaw said: “All the children in the school had done something to go in a scrap book they made for the chief constable.

“It included pictures and poems they wrote.

“The deputy head, Neil Bell, dressed him up with a banner and balloons and then grilled him a little bit about his time in the police.”

The event was attended by members of the neighbourhood policing team who visit the school regularly.