FIVE youngsters have been arrested in an initiative to curb disruptive behaviour in schools.

The arrests, all for violent, threatening or abusive behaviour, were made by a team of three police officers, an educational social worker and a youth development worker.

The Behaviour, Attendance and Truancy (Bat) team arrested the five secondary pupils in their first three weeks operating in schools across Redcar and Cleveland borough.

Team leader Sergeant Mike Cane said: "Teenagers must take note that if they engage in persistent anti-social behaviour in school, then they risk being arrested.

"Schools are communities within the community, and those using them deserve to do so without having to put up with abuse or violence."

The aim of the joint initiative between Cleveland Police, the local education authority and schools, is to promote good behaviour and citizenship and confront pupils who disrupt lessons, are abusive to teachers and assault or bully children.

It is believed it may be one of the first initiatives of its kind in the country.

Sgt Cane said there was a link between truancy, anti-social behaviour and crime.

He said: "We will be conducting high-profile operations and returning truants to school.

"We will also deal with pupils who disrupt lessons, are abusive to teachers or those who assault and bully other students."

He said youngsters from deprived backgrounds or those with poor social skills would be encouraged to take up activities to keep them out of trouble.

Karen Smith, who leads the Education Other Than at School scheme, which works with children with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties, said the Bat team had already helped with one of her most difficult students.

She said: "Some of the pupils we work with can be very challenging and can disrupt the learning of the others.

"I am looking forward to working more closely with the newly formed team."

Hilary Ellis, headteacher of Gillbrook Technology College, in South Bank, Middlesbrough, said: "All headteachers have wanted something along these lines for a long time."

Dave Lister, project manager with the Education Social Work Service, said: "We will work together to ensure our schools are safe learning environments for pupils and staff."