GIRLS at a Darlington school have been given tips in how to protect themselves by a police self-defence expert.

PC Neil Walton, from the Darlington neighbourhood policing team, visited Longfield Academy to show female pupils a series of moves to improve their personal safety.

The session was arranged by the school’s Emotional Wellbeing Officer, Claire Howlett, after a request from some of the girls who were feeling vulnerable and seeking greater confidence.

“We don’t want the girls to have to use the skills they’ve learned but we feel it’s important to give them a bit of empowerment,” she said. “It has been a brilliant experience for them – they’ve been out of their comfort zone, but they’ve thrown themselves into it 100 per cent.”

Earlier in the year, PC Walton held a women’s self-defence class at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington after the demand for personal safety training was raised at PACT (Police and Communities Together) meetings.

“We received something like 800 enquiries and, although we could only accommodate around 80 at the time, the feedback was fantastic,” explained PC Walton, who was then contacted by Mrs Howlett asking if something similar could be arranged at the school.

PC Walton showed the girls how to avoid putting themselves at risk, how to de-escalate conflicts, how to escape from situations, and how to use physicality in extreme circumstances.

“Darlington is one of the safest places in the UK to live but situations can happen and it’s about making sure the girls are switched-on and aware of how to respond,” he added.

Following the success of the training, Mrs Howlett is hoping to arrange some personal safety guidance for boys in the school.