THERE was no need for high ranking police chiefs in the Thames Valley to bring a packed lunch to work last Friday.

Subsidised canteens in main police stations were closed two years ago to enable the cash saved to be spent on front line policing.

Since then coppers in the Bucks force have had to make their own sandwiches to keep the wolf from the door during a shift.

But last week 11 top brass from the Aylesbury HQ forked out a couple of pounds each for a healthy two-course meal (with drink) from the menu in the canteen at Sir William Ramsay School in Hazlemere.

“They sat down with pupils and had a fantastic time,” reported Annie Gleeson, secretary to Chief Superintendent Paul Tinnion, police commander for Bucks who was among the party tucking in with the students.

Enjoying lunch with schoolkids has become a highly valued part of police strategy to engage with the youth of the county.

The initiative was introduced by Commander Tinnion two years ago. He now welcomes invitations from head teachers to use their schools as venues for the monthly get-together of his senior management team.

Said his PA this week: “Having a day away from base gives senior managers from across the county somewhere other than the office to hold their normal meeting and the opportunity to have lunch with the pupils.” She laughed. “Oh yes, they always choose the healthy option.”

As a memento of last week's visit, the commander presented headteacher Gaynor Comber with the certificate of partnership working.