POLICE have been called in to patrol a high school in the Scottish Borders after concerns about the anti-social behaviour of some pupils.
Officers will be on campus at Hawick High School as part of a "zero-tolerance" approach to "poor behaviour" from a minority of pupils.
In a letter issued last week, Donna Manson, Scottish Borders Council's service director for children and young people, sought to reassure parents.
She said: "From time to time there is some poor behaviour displayed by a minority of pupils, both within the school campus and in the local community.
"I am aware that there have been concerns voiced on social media regarding some anti-social behaviour in the school and wish to reassure you that, in close partnership with the police, social work and youth workers, we are making rapid progress in eliminating this unacceptable behaviour.
"This involves the support of local police, on and off the school campus, and close engagement with families where appropriate."
Manson said a range of extra resources had been deployed at the school which would "continue indefinitely until we achieve the anti-social behaviour free learning environment that is expected within Hawick High School".
She added: "The council is very proud of the young people who attend the school. They are very engaged and ambitious learners who exhibit strong citizenship, positive and respectful relationships and are a real asset to the school and the community."
Inspector Carol Wood of Police Scotland said: "As part of our continued engagement with local schools within Hawick, a number of issues relating to the conduct and actions of a small number of pupils at Hawick High School were raised.
"To address these issues, officers have been deployed to the school and will engage with staff and pupils on a daily basis to deter offences and assure that any matters which arise are suitably dealt with."
It is understood the council will recommend reducing the presence of officers at the school at a meeting with police on Monday.
A Scottish Borders Council spokesman said: "The headteacher of Hawick High School, education and social work staff at Scottish Borders Council and partners, including Police Scotland, have been working closely over the past two weeks to implement an action plan to tackle recent anti-social behaviour displayed by a very small minority of pupils in the school and wider community and implement a zero-tolerance approach.
"This has been very successful and has quickly resulted in an improved school environment for all students and staff.
"A partnership approach has also been taken to ensuring that additional support is in place for pupils and families as required.
"All the partners are committed to continuing to work together to maintain the encouraging progress of recent weeks. Additional resources have been provided to the headteacher to implement further areas of the action plan within the school.
"Positive meetings have taken place with the parent council and local councillors to reassure them and parents that all necessary steps have been taken to bring these recent issues to a close, and the partners will continue to engage with these groups going forward."
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