THE final ever episode of The Bill was aired a few weeks ago – consigning the classic “I ain’t done nuffing” and “shut it, you’re nicked” phrases to the nostalgic satellite repeat channels.

But to avoid confusion between myth and reality, the county’s police force invited schoolchildren to see exactly what goes on behind the scenes at a Real Bill event at its headquarters in Hindlip.

Schools from across the West Mercia force area have been visiting the site this week. I joined in with pupils from Worcester’s Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, The Chase School in Malvern and Stourport High School. The day kicked off with an address from Chief Constable Paul West, who welcomed the youngsters to his base to see what “policing is like in the 21st century”.

A few eyebrows were raised when this was followed by a film featuring fictitious burglar Johnny Brown – complete with eyemask and swag bag – who was “wanted for being a very naughty boy”.

The pupils were then given an impressive show by the police dog section. As officers demonstrated expert control and discipline, the children were asked: “Can your dogs at home do that?”

“Yeeeessssss,” they replied in unison. Of course they can.

Proceedings took a more serious educational tone during a lecture about internet safety and cyberbullying. Detective Constable Simon Davies asked: “Where are we most vulnerable?”

“In a dark alleyway at 12 o’clock?” a young man answered incorrectly. The lesson gave valuable advice about how to stay safe when using social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo and also urged the pupils to think twice before posting inappropriate pictures or messages.

Det Con Davies added how criminals often forget who might be keeping an eye on them online.

“You won’t believe the number of burglars we catch because of silly things they put on their Facebook profiles,” he said.

Fans of hit US TV show CSI were in their element during a display of all things forensic. A plastic dummy with a knife stuck in its chest, demonstrations about DNA profiles, fingerprints, tyre marks and footprints showed how police officers can use science to track down criminals.

To round off the visit, pupils were given the chance to sit in the driving seat of police cars, motorbikes and 4x4s. The officers looking after the vehicles allowed the youngster to rev the engines and test out the sirens.

I thought West Mercia Police managed to provide a good mix of education and fun on the day. Joe Laugher, aged 12, from Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, said: “It was a really fun day and I learned a lot. I would definitely consider a career in the force.”