POLICE officers are to patrol school playgrounds this week in a crackdown on truancy, bad behaviour and bullying.

Two police officers will spend part of their duties at Hayward, Withins and Deane schools.

The police presence will form part of a Government initiative to tackle high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour in and around the school sites.

They will work as part of a team with educational welfare officers, psychologists and health experts.

In addition to spotting offences they will try to identify children at risk of becoming victims.

Communities around the schools should benefit from the police presence and efforts are being made to find council owned properties to provide "offices" in each area.

Bolton, which is one of 33 education authorities around the country to have been chosen to take part, received £1.5m of Government cash to organise the scheme.

The officers will also have a responsibility for patrolling feeder primary schools.

Bolton education officer Shabir Fazal said: "We need to nip any trouble in the bud."

Brian Shaw, Bolton Council's assistant director of education, said: "This is more of a community based project than a school one.

"The LEA workers and the police officers will be out and about rather than tied to an office."

Greater Manchester Assistant Chief Constable Alan Green added: "We are delighted to be able to take this opportunity to improve links with schools.

"The role puts officers into the heart of communities for the benefit of everyone."

Primary schools will also take part in the scheme in an attempt to prevent anti-social behaviour in the future.

The primary schools involved are each feeder schools for Hayward, the Withins and Deane and police will visit those schools, too. They are:

Hayward School. Feeder primaries: Sunning Hill, Lever Edge, Pikes Lane, Clarendon, Bishop Bridgeman.

Withins School. Feeder primaries: Red Lane, Crompton Fold, Tonge Moor, Moorgate, Top o' th' Brow.

Deane School. Feeder primaries: Ladybridge, Brandwood, St Mary's (Deane) C of E, Haslam Park and St Simon and St Jude.