POLICE are being sent out skateboarding during working hours in a groundbreaking bid to cut crime and make them appear "cool".

Hampshire Police's latest initiative in the fight against crime is to send beat officers to join youths at a skate ramp at Lee-On-The-Solent where they can learn tricks and improve their street cred.

Uniformed police attend the workshops, aimed at kids aged 12 to 16, where they can get tuition from expert skaters and meet young people in their area.

The force tries to ensure at least one of a team of four constables, three Police Community Support Officers and one sergeant are there for each two-hour session.

According to organisers the scheme not only boosts officers' kudos among teenagers but also reduces offending in the area.

PCSO Stephen Dean, 22, who eagerly attends the twice-weekly skate workshops, said: "It's great for breaking down barriers. It lets the youngsters see a more human side to the police.

"The kids see us down there skateboarding and see us as cool, rather than something they have to fear. All the kids recognise me now in the street and say hello, so I think it's given me more kudos."