A counter terrorism operation was played out by Streatham schoolchildren as part of a police engagement event against violent extremism.

Young people from Bishop Thomas Grant School were put in the shoes of police officers having to deal with a terrorist incident as part of the Met's Prevent programme, that visited the secondary school in Belltrees Grove last week.

The exercise was carried out by more than 200 pupils, making it one of the largest community based counter terrorism exercises ever conducted by the Met.

Pupils were given snippets of information and intelligence about an emerging terrorist conspiracy, and had to decide on what actions to take, including surveillance, arrests, and what to tell the public.

The Prevent programme looks to target the growth of extremism in communities.

PC Lee Carroll said: "The exercises really opened up the debate about violent extremism. It gave us all - police and young people - the chance to discuss these important issues, to address stereotypes, and to talk about policing and the law in a frank and informal way."

One pupil told police: "The session was fun, slightly scary, but really educational".