Budding detectives from a village primary school enjoyed a trip to the police station recently as part of their crime and punishment topic.

Children from Shaugh Prior Primary School went to Ivybridge police station for some hands on experience of modern day policing.

In teams, pupils spent five minutes interviewing a suspect in the fictional theft of a mobile phone at the school. Despite their lack of experience, the youngsters managed to get a confession using open ended questioning.

Afterwards they had a go at being custody officers and took each other’s fingerprints. They were also able to put questions about the police force to PC Tamsyn Dingley.

Jack in Year 6 said: “It was fun interviewing the suspect because we had to work as a team."

PC Dingley said the pupils soon learnt that direct and closed questions did not give them any answers or leads, and added they were "well behaved and polite".

Head Mrs Gill Gilmartin said: "Our thanks to PC Dingley for her kind words about the children’s politeness following our KS2 trip this week."