CAMPUS Cops will be returning to North Ayrshire secondary schools after the police officers were previously axed.

Four years ago, provisions for the specialist officers in local schools was cut as part of budget issues but the cops will return in the very near future, thanks to the Pupil Equity Fund in which headteachers choose what they want to spend money on.

Five local schools will have officers based within the schools as Police Scotland finalise details ahead of rubber-stamping the scheme next month.

Irvine Royal Academy and Greenwood Academy in Irvine and Ardrossan Academy, St Matthew’s Academy and Auchenharvie Academy in the Three Towns are the schools set to benefit.

North Ayrshire’s top cop, Chief Inspector Brian Shaw, has welcomed the move, which will see four officers based in five secondary schools.

CI Shaw said: “Proposals are being considered with a number of schools using their Pupil Equity Fund and working with North Ayrshire Council and Police Scotland, for the introduction of campus cops to a number of secondary schools in North Ayrshire.

“This will be finalised during the month of February and we are very supportive of the role of campus cops in our schools.”

Currently schools have liaison officers and it is believed that these officers will move from their current roles into the campus roles, offering minimum disruption to relationships already built.

The feeder schools associated with the secondaries set to be boosted will also have access to the campus officers.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “Interest has been shown in re-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. We are currently exploring the best way forward before a final decision is taken.”