Police called out 32 times every day to Scots schools

Published on Sunday 23 August 2009 22:38

POLICE officers are called out to Scottish schools at least 32 times every day, it has been revealed.

Teachers are asking police to investigate allegations of rape, serious assault and drug dealing.

Among the most serious cases, an eight-year-old was collared for brandishing a knife, a nine-year-old detained for lewd and libidinous behaviour and a 14-year-old arrested for discharging a firearm.

Other alleged crimes committed by pupils include mobbing and rioting, culpable and reckless conduct and public indecency.

One school in Tayside was the scene of 81 disturbances last year, while another in Aberdeen has seen police called in on 245 occasions over three years.

Figures were obtained from seven of the eight Scottish forces, with only Dumfries and Galloway unable to respond.

Most incidents are described as assault, theft or vandalism. But police have also detained pupils as young as seven for racially aggravated harassment, sending obscene and menacing text messages and willful fire-raising.

Liz Smith, schools spokeswoman for the Scottish Conservatives,

said: "The most concerning aspect is a lot of this is happening amongst very young children who can't possibly be held responsible for their actions.

"We also have too many situations where children are being persistently suspended for very serious issues and parents and staff want something done about it."

Tayside Police reported the most call-outs last year, with 2,904. This was followed by Grampian with 1,977 calls and Northern Constabulary with 1,056.

Officials at Lothian and Borders said their officers dealt with 1,641 actual offences in and around schools, meaning the figure for call-outs may be far higher.

Meanwhile, Strathclyde Police recorded 3,277 "reported crimes" on school premises.

The figures, police say, have fallen by a sixth between 2007 and 2008.

A Scottish Government spokesman said it was working with local authorities to help schools deal with discipline.

He added: "We know the majority of pupils are well-behaved. However, a minority are not and any violence against staff or pupils is unacceptable."