Thames Valley's acting chief constable visited Muslim pupils at an Oxford girls' school to tell them about her career and encourage them to join the force.

Sara Thornton met pupils and community leaders at Iqra School in Littlemore, Oxford.

Ms Thornton said: "I went to talk to them about what it was like being a woman leading a large organisation, to encourage them to think about the police service as a career - particularly for Muslim women - and the importance of having a police service which is as diverse as the city of Oxford.

"They were a great group and asked very, very good questions. They seemed genuinely interested in making the city of Oxford safer.

"Afterwards, I had a meeting with some of the leaders from the mosques and talked about the police relationship with the Muslim community and I received a lot of very good, positive comments.

"They know a lot of the local officers, which is good to see."

The Iqra school, Oxford's only all-girl Muslim school, was set up in 2002 after the city's single-sex state schools were closed.

Supported by donations and volunteers, the £1,500-a-year private school now has 70 pupils ranging from 10 to 15 years old, with a quarter of the places reserved for non-Muslims.

Headteacher Dr Hojjat Ramzy said it had been a very successful visit during which Ms Thornton had been able to see the school and meet all the pupils.

She also spoke to more than 30 adult members of the Muslim community, including councillors and the head of Oxford's mosque.

He said: "It was a beautiful atmosphere of friendship.

"Everybody was there to greet her and talk to her and see how we can make closer relations between the Muslims and the police and see how we can live in peace.

"We would like to see some of our children join the police force because there are not many Muslim policewomen and we believe it is a very honourable job."