Youths warned over disturbances

The ringleaders in two disturbances involving dozens of school children have been warned they will be identified and punished.

Surrey Police said they had been called out to deal with incidents in Caterham and Warlingham within the past week.

Police received reports of up to 100 youngsters fighting outside a school in Caterham, but found far fewer there and said there was "tension" but no fight.

And there were "minor scuffles" near Warlingham School, involving pupils.

No arrests

The first incident took place on 17 March after the end of school at about 1530 GMT at De Stafford School in Caterham.

Police headed to the school after the reports of as many as 100 teenagers involved in fights, which they found to be exaggerated.

Sgt Mike Simmonds said: "Staff at the school were already taking action and we also took positive steps to intervene and speak directly and forcefully to those we identified as key individuals.

"The groups were dispersed with no further trouble and no arrests."

The second incident took place on a recreation ground near Warlingham School on the evening of 19 March.

Exclusion considered

Officers on patrol found between 50-80 youngsters in the area and said "a small handful were involved in minor scuffles".

About 20 police officers dispersed the group and no arrests were made.

Sgt Simmonds said police would take action ranging from speaking to parents to Anti-Social Behaviour Orders if such incidents happened again.

Surrey Police said both schools were prepared to consider excluding pupils caught either provoking or taking part in violence.