TEENAGE students will be checking the homes of vulnerable elderly residents then reporting back to police in a bid to save lives and cut crime across Purbeck.

Under the PPALS project - the Purbeck Partnership Advisors on Living Safely scheme - sixth form students will visit elderly residents to safety check their homes.

The Purbeck School teenagers, who have been trained by police and firefighters, will check smoke alarms, electrical appliances, door locks and windows. The aim is to reduce the number of residential fires and cut burglaries across the district.

Earlier this year, a number of Purbeck School students carried out trial visits, along with police and Fire service mentors, in Corfe Castle.

Now 15 sixth formers have been fully trained and are ready to go it alone.

Student Ellen Caddy, aged 17, said: “I am very proud to be part of PPALS.

“It has improved my communication and confidence and fits in well with my teamwork ethos.

“It has also given me a greater understanding of elderly people and definitely has helped bridge the gap between teenagers and the elderly population.”

To be eligible for a PPALS visit a home must be referred by either the police, Dorset Fire and rescue Service, Purbeck District Council or other partners.

Purbeck School head Richard Holman said: “The students are a positive testimony to what the future holds for our school and the community we live in.

“I hope that PPALS will be sustainable and that our younger students will be able to get involved in future years.”

Swanage PCSO Rebekah Butler said: “This is a fantastic initiative that we are thrilled to be involved with pioneering it in Purbeck.

“Already, members of the community are enjoying the benefits of the service.”