TALENTED young writers were welcomed to Fulford Road Police Station in York for a prize-giving event as part of the York Literature Festival.

The 12 winners were chosen from 250 entrants in the Write And Fight Crime competition, which saw police officers and Police Comunity Support Officers visit primary schools across the York area, inviting children aged between seven and ten to write about their most treasured possessions.

Officers also discussed key issues with the pupils including antisocial behaviour and security-marking to protect their personal property.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “Entries were submitted in many forms, including poems, press releases, posters and stories.

“The most popular items chosen were iPods, mobile phones and bikes, all of which are highly attractive to thieves.

“Security-marking valuable items like these make them less likely to be stolen and more easily recovered if they are taken.”

At the prize-giving event, York Safer Neighbourhood commander Lisa Winward presented each winner with a certificate, a book token, and property marking kit. She said: “I have enjoyed reading the winning entries and feel sure that the messages they convey will benefit not only the children who wrote them but their families, friends and the wider community.”

Following the ceremony the children were taught about forensic science.

Officers said that not only can laptops and MP3 players be uniquely identified, but human beings carry unique markers of their own, such as DNA and fingerprints. The youngsters had their fingerprints taken and were shown how a DNA test is conducted. They were also visited by search dog Harry and his handler, PC Geoff Bonus, who demonstrated that the police can track down items, drugs and even people using specially trained dogs.

The winners of the competition were Lauren Andrews, of Poppleton Ousebank Primary School, Thomas Bruce, of St Barnabas Primary School, Jessica Dunfold, of Westfield Primary School, James Greaves, of Dunnington Primary School, Thomas Greaves, of St Barnabas Primary School, Daniel Hesford, of Clifton Green Primary School, Grace Horley, of Heworth Primary School, Nisa Jasmin, of St Lawrence's Primary School, Nicole Nevin, of Acomb Primary School, Joshua Parker, of Westfield Primary School, Bailey Pollock, of Clifton Green Primary School and Elle Smith, of Westfield Primary School.