Undercover scruff

The special student supplement in the Scottish edition of The Big Issue contains some disconcerting news for this session's intake - Big Brother could be watching them.

It has tracked down some students who have found novel ways of boosting their grant, including one who works undercover for the Metropolitan Police. He has already had two assignments, each paying Pounds 1,000. His account of working in a pub, keeping an eye on an alleged drugs dealer, reveals an impressive familiarity with the jargon.

"I had to work most hours of the day between lectures and my grades dropped. Still, when the operation went down we got a conviction and she's now serving time."

He is identified only as "David", but helpfully provides a description of himself.

"If you saw me walking down the the street, you would probably think 'normal looking guy, long hair and a bit scruffy round the edges - a typical student'."