POLICE officers determined to tackle bullying in schools will talk to thousands of primary pupils over the next fortnight.

Year six children from every primary school in Hambleton and Richmondshire will attend the annual Crucial Crew event at RAF Leeming from Monday.

Officers from Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership's anti-bullying initiative will join other emergency service staff to pass on safety advice at the event.

PC Gary Lewis, a Richmondshire police youth action worker, started the anti-bullying initiative in 2002.

He said: "Nationally, 20 children take their own life because of bullying every year.

"Another 30 per cent admit they have at one point been scared to go to school and over a half say they have been a victim of bullying.

"If bullying in schools is allowed to go unchecked it can create long-term problems.

"Violence, domestic abuse and child abuse are often problems associated with bullying."

PC Lewis said one of the messages he would be passing on at Crucial Crew was that doing nothing was not at option.

"We encourage the children to find out what works for them," he said.

Teachers, youth workers or parents who want further information about the police anti-bullying initiative are asked to contact PC Lewis on (01609) 789343.