Pc Mel Brace has built a rapport with the children

Fifty one people appeared in court for rioting, with sentences handed down mounting to more than 80 years.

The arrests were made after fighting between local residents and Iraqi Kurds on the estate on 22 June 2002.

North Wales Police stepped up patrols in the area and visited youngsters as young as five to build a better relationship with the next generation.

I want to educate them into seeing that the police aren't only here for conflict situations and we're here to help Pc Mel Brace

Sergeant Darren Jacks and his five community beat managers have been appointed to look after north Wales' biggest council estate on a daily basis.

Since they were put in place last year crime has fallen by 16% and the majority of children and parents have got used to seeing more bobbies on the beat.

Pc Melanie Brace looks after the Whitegate ward of the estate.

She has decided to educate children up to the age of 11 about her role on the estate, to teach them not to be scared of her and treat her as a friend.

Troubles

She calls about twice a week to Gwenfro Infants and Junior Schools.

"My aim is to try and educate them while they are at this early age. They are on an estate where there have been a lot of troubles lately and they might've only seen us in conflict situations," she said.

"I want to educate them into seeing that the police aren't only here for conflict situations and we're here to help."

Pc Brace first started visiting the school shortly before the disturbances on Caia Park.

The violent outbreak last summer followed friction between a number of Iraqis and longer-term residents of Caia Park in Wrexham.

But police blamed a criminal element for taking advantage of the situation.

She says that since the troubles she has managed to win pupils around.

"When I first started coming into the school about 11 months ago, they were very, very quiet, I'd walk into the class and you could feel the tension, even though they are young you could see they were intimidated by me," she said.

Pc Brace sees children during their lessons

"I just came in, sat down, let them play with things on my belt and introduced myself slowly, quite quickly they warmed to me.

"Now when they see me they don't think trouble anymore, they think 'Oh great Mel's here, let's go and play'."

The friendly officer walks from classroom to classroom where she is greeted by hugs from the girls and enthusiastic waves from the boys.

She is presented with drawings which have been made for her and they all know her name instantly.

"When I'm out and about parents come up and say 'You're Mel, you go to my daughter's school,' it's nice," she said.

A police surgery is also held at the school every four weeks so parents can drop their children off and then come into the office if they have any problems they wish to discuss.

Pc Brace says she has noticed a difference on the estate since she started last year and the children want to help improve the area's image.

"You hear them say, 'Let's go and do this' and then one will say 'No, no Mel won't like it'."

"Last night someone was trying to pull stickers off the car and one of the boys said 'Don't do that, it's Mel's car'."

Jan Ashford, Headteacher at Gwenfro School says Mel has made a big impression on her pupils who are "not afraid to talk to her about anything".