SCHOOL children broke up for the summer holidays by bidding a sad farewell to their police liaison officer.

As part of a "restructuring" by the Met Police, the role of dedicated school PCSOs is being abolished.

There are currently three PCSOs working in Bromley police's youth partnership unit, each liaising with 25 primary schools. 

These officers will now be incorporated into safer neighbourhood teams, who will take up the job of visiting pupils.

One of these is Sue Kennedy, who has been a regular face at St Nicholas Church of England Primary School in Chislehurst for the last five years.

But due to the changes being made, she may well have made her last visit to the school.

Headteacher John Paddington said: "The promises there will be continuity of police liaison is all well and good but most primary schools are up in arms about this.

"Sue has built up trust with the children and she goes the extra mile with them.

"I don't know whether the changes will be able to continue that.

"If they're promising to, why change it? If it isn't broke, don't fix it. It's clearly a money-saving exercise."

Year 6 pupil Louis Toomey, 11, said: "Sue has helped us in loads of ways. She teaches us what to do when you get into a difficult situation."

Christopher Bourdeaux, also 11, said: "It's sad she's going because she's taught us about all the things that are bad in life. If she leaves all the future kids might not have that future support."

While Lauchie Hart, 11, said: "Sue coming into the school has really boosted my confidence."

Bromley police Chief Inspector Carron Schusler said: "We are committed to making reductions by considering how we do things differently and prioritising our service to communities.

"As part of this process, and subject to Mayoral approval, we plan to put 2,000 more officers into neighbourhood policing teams by the end of the year by realigning them from other roles.

"As such, the role of a dedicated schools PCSO will therefore cease to exist and the provision to schools will be made via the local neighbourhood policing team."