Largs Campus has a new police officer based within the school throughout the week.

PC Ross Pollard has been five weeks in the new post which was set up by North Ayrshire Council for campuses around the region earlier this year, providing important support to staff.

Other campus in the district have had campus cops in operation in the past but the system has been re-introduced, and this is the first time that Largs, with its super school, including Largs Primary and St Mary's, has a policeman in post.

Sergeant Sharon Kerr of Largs Police said: "A campus policeman works with all the staff, and if there are any issues raised by any of the teachers or any of the guidance staff in relation to any of the children, he can help.

Ross is settling into the school environment, and he is bridging a link between all the people in education and the police, and he is able to provide on the spot advice.

"It has been a big year for the new school, and there is a lot going on."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “Interest has been shown in introducing campus officers at a number of our high schools as the head teachers valued their contribution to the overall delivery of support and education of their pupils."

Provisions for the specialist officers in local schools was cut as part of budget issues but thanks to the Pupil Equity Fund in which headteachers choose what they want to spend money on, North Ayrshire Council decided to bring the model back earlier this year.

The police have also been carrying out patrols in the Alexander Avenue area in relation to concerns over parking issues.

Over a three day period, police were in attendance between 8am and 9am to examine the situation which has come under scrutiny recently.

We recently reported that Janitorial staff have been trying to help alleviate the parking problem by asking parents not to park in disabled spaces or in front of cars parked in spaces.

However, despite their best efforts the staff at the school are said to be getting verbally abused.

Sergeant Kerr said: "The team were saying that since the recent coverage, drivers have been showing more awareness.

"You are never going to completely solve the problem, but we have discussed with the school about the parking issues.

"We are trying our best to educate the drivers too, and trying to help with the parking situation in the area to alleviate any problems."