STUDENTS from Chilton Trinity School and Robert Blake Science College took part in Avon and Somerset's online crime Children's Takeover Challenge.

Children’s Takeover Challenge is a national event led by the Children’s Commissioner for England which puts children and young people into decision-making roles.

Organisations and businesses benefit as they gain a fresh insight into their work by listening to children’s ideas and experience.

A team from Year 10 of Hanham Woods Academy saw off stiff competition from five other schools in the Avon and Somerset area with a plan to tackle what they identified as the top threat online: just how easy it is to create a false persona.

Superintendent Simon Ellis, who was involved in selecting the winning plan, said: “Each of the six school teams who took part was challenged with carrying out some initial research into their peers’ use of the internet before attending a pretty gruelling day where they carried out a range of tasks in order to devise their plans.

Across our region, 83 per cent of children say they access the internet daily with almost half using it routinely throughout the day.

"This allows for rapid information and knowledge exchange, connection with new and like-minded people, support and friendship. But, it has a dark side, too.

"Offences against young people through online activity are rising, however much of it is hidden from view and the virtual domain is largely unpoliced."

Supt Ellis added: “I’d like to thank the students and staff from each of the schools that took part – we couldn’t have asked for more in terms of energy, enthusiasm and productivity.  Well done to all of them.”