ELEVEN-year-old children whose fears of bullying are not dealt with could turn to weapons for protection by the age of 15, a Worcestershire scrutiny group has learned.

Adrienne Katz, of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, told Worcestershire County Council's anti-bullying scrutiny task group that youngsters of 11 are most fearful of bullying than any other age group.

And she said if their fears are not dealt with, they are more likely to carry a weapon by the age of 15.

The scrutiny group is currently analysing the extent of bullying in the county's schools and trying to come up with solutions to deal with the problem more effectively.

Mrs Katz visited the group to talk about the alliance's work, her own research and ways to tackle bullying.

"Pupils are most fearful at the age of 11," she said. "And if they do not feel that their local authority is making it safe for them then by 15 they are more likely to carry a weapon."

At the age of 11 pupils are usually moving from primary or junior school to secondary school, which is when incidents of bullying tend to increase.

Mrs Katz told the scrutiny group that the authority needed to ensure that young people trusted that something was being done about bullying.

"You need to gain their trust at this early age," she said. Mrs Katz gave the group ideas for sharing best practice, working with other agencies and talking to young people direct.

She also praised the council's current framework on bullying, during her visit, calling it "excellent".

"You now need to look at how you can build on that," she added. The group is looking at bullying in key stages three and four and will be visiting every middle and secondary school in the county over the coming months to look at how each one records and deals with problems.

County councillor Jo Hodges, chairman of the group, said: "We want to identify the true scale of bullying in Worcestershire and try to come up with solutions as to how Worcestershire County Council can help to tackle the situation."