A West Sussex police officer has been hired to weed out young troublemakers before they end up with a criminal record.

PC Brian Towner is working closely with two secondary schools, Littlehampton Community School and Angmering School, which have a combined total of 3,800 pupils.

The new post involves tackling bullying, truancy, exclusions and reducing antisocial behaviour within schools and the wider community.

Part of his role also includes identifying youngsters most likely to break the law and give them and their families support.

PC Towner, who is a father of two teenagers, said: "A key part of my job is working with young people in preventing and detecting crime.

"I want to dramatically reduce complaints against youths in the area and improve community life."

Mr Towner will speak to youths who are a cause for concern and those developing a pattern of offending.

He will provide reassurance within the school, mixing with teachers and children in break times and be present at the end of the day at the schools' entrances.

He also works evenings on foot patrol in the community, targeting hotspots of complaints about young people and engaging with the community.

The two-year post, funded by organisations within the Arun Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, is already making an impact.

Shopkeepers in Wick, near Littlehampton, say instances of youths congregating and causing trouble outside their shops have reduced.

Newsagent Rasik Patel said: "We used to have problems with them gathering in a large group but not anymore.

"PC Towner's influence has been good and the young people seem better behaved."

The idea of a schools intervention officer was introduced following a need to better co-ordinate resources of agencies in dealing with young people. It follows a successful trial of a scheme in Eastbourne.

Although in its infancy, there are already plans to extend the idea across the rest of Arun and the scheme could eventually go countywide.

PC Paul Stevens has just been appointed intervention officer for the Hailsham-Crowborough-Uckfield area and a community safety officer is expected to be chosen for Crawley.

Negotiations are also in progress to appoint two in East Brighton.

Inspector Russell Ternent, head of the force community safety unit, said he was trying to persuade all divisions to adopt the idea.

He said: "We already have school liaison officers who talk to students about the law, substance misuse and personal safety. The new intervention officers are focused on enforcement at an early stage - to nip problems in the bud."

David Brixey, headteacher at Angmering School, said: "PC Towner has already made an excellent start building good working relationships with our staff.

"As he gets to know the students well, I'm sure he will have a big impact on them and how they behave in the community."

Jayne Wilson, headteacher at Littlehampton Community School, said: "We're delighted to be part of this innovative partnership project.

"We see the role as supporting our young people and the community in its efforts to curb antisocial behaviour and adolescent crime."