In the wake of a series of school shootings, including the attack on Columbine High School in Colorado, a poll has found more support for restrictions on viewing and tougher policing in schools rather than reductions in access to firearms.

The poll on school violence, carried out on behalf of Associated Press, found that 31% thought that reducing violence on television would be effective in cutting violence in schools.

But only 16% of those polled believed that passing tighter gun laws would have an impact on reducing violence. And in determining the causes of violence only 8% believed availability of guns was of significance, compared to 52% who blamed poor parenting.

Putting a police officer in every school was also identified by the survey as a way in which violence could be tackled, with the proposal receiving the support of two-thirds of respondents.

There was also a narrow majority for a proposal to use metal detectors on school gates - a measure already introduced in some inner-city schools.

Despite the high-profile cases involving gun attacks on schools, there was still a widespread belief that schools are generally safe places. The survey found that 83% of people believed that schools were "very safe" or "somewhat safe", with only 5% claiming that schools were "not safe at all".