POLICE in Worcester plan to use new laws to target would-be vandals and thieves on school and college campuses.

They will be using the 1996 Education Act which relates specifically to causing a nuisance/disturbance on school premises as well as the 1982 Local Government (Miscella-neous Provisions) Act.

This includes further and higher education premises and includes buildings, playing fields and other outdoor recreation grounds.

Chief Inspector Iain Bailey, South Worcester-shire's head of local policing, said: "In order to protect educational premises - right through from infant schools to colleges - legislation provides powers of removal if police officers, or local authority appointees, have reasonable cause to suspect someone is committing or is about to commit an offence. Whether they actually commit an offence is not what is in question under existing legislation."

He said it was hoped during summer holidays and lighter, longer evenings parents would make sure they know what their children were doing, where they were and who they were with.

The acts say that if a police officer or local authority employee has reasonable cause to suspect someone is committing, or has committed, an offence on educational premises, they can forcibly remove them. They may then also face arrest and possible court appearances.

"While many youngsters cannot get away quickly enough from school at the end of term, or the end of the day, there are a handful who seem strangely attracted to return when not authorised to do so.