The Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, Colin Cramphorn, was cruising the county's canals today to find out more about a police community project involving officers, waterways charity The Safe Anchor Trust, and the international space agency NASA.

He joined police officers, youngsters and Safe Anchor volunteers on a trip down the Calder Hebble Canal as part of the Force's Positive Action for Young People summer scheme.

The youngsters are working with British Waterways on an international project being run by the European arm of NASA testing water quality. Samples from the Calder Hebble will be fed through a satellite navigation system to NASA's satellite database. Results will be analysed by NASA and a report published later this year. Mr Cramphorn said: "As is clear from the project with NASA, our work with the Trust provides valuable lessons for youngsters in looking after themselves on the water, working with the wider community and the environment."

West Yorkshire Police and the Liversedge-based Safe Anchor Trust will be taking two boats on a return trip from Mirfield to Skipton in September. Over two weeks, 20 different schools from across the county will be sending parties of children to enjoy the trip and learn valuable skills.

The Trust, which has provided trips for more than 15,000 people since it formed in 1995, is a registered charity founded to give free access to the waterways on their narrowboats for all age groups and those with special needs.