SCHOOLS in Vale Royal will have an eye in the sky looking out for yobs and vandals over the summer holiday.
A police plane is set for take-off to join ground patrols in order to watch out for anti-social behaviour on school premises during the holidays.
Each time school is out, security is very much in, thanks to an array of crime-fighters - Cheshire Police's Air Support Unit, Targeted Patrol Teams and Community Action Teams and Vale Royal Borough Council's Community Safety Wardens.
They keep an eye on school buildings often targeted by vandals and yobs when pupils are away from school.
Carol Pettinger Hart, deputy headteacher at Middlewich High School, welcomed the added protection.
She said: 'We have very few incidents because the community respects the school but we want to prevent people from taking advantage of the fact that the school is more empty than usual.
'The community uses the sports facilities so there are a lot of comings and goings. We've always had a very positive relationship with the police and this is another great idea.'
David Owens, a police community safety network manager, said: 'I hope it's reassuring for people to know that we're not only working hard on the ground, we're watching from above too so we really are well equipped when it comes to spotting and dealing with problems.
'The message is clear, we have eyes and ears everywhere and if thieves, vandals or louts choose to target schools, they can expect to have dealings with the authorities.'
The police have vowed to arrest and fine offenders who target schools.
