A CAMPAIGN to crack down on a violent new craze involving mobile phones is seeking the support of Redditch MP Jacqui Smith.

Minister for Schools Ms Smith has been called upon by fellow Labour MP Adrian Bailey to help address the growing problem - dubbed "happy slapping" - in a bid to slash the number of attacks.

She said she "absolutely condemned" the violent trend, which involves groups of teenagers slapping strangers and filming their reactions on mobile phones.

Along with West Bromwich West MP Mr Bailey, she plans to speak to mobile phone companies, parents and headteachers about the possibility of blocking mobile phone signals in schools.

But despite the issue dominating the national headlines, Ms Smith has warned the public against "getting carried away".

She said: "As far as I know, Redditch schools are not experiencing this problem.

''They are particularly well-ordered and I'll be drawing on the expertise of the headteachers and teachers who I know to fight against it."

Ms Smith added she would be addressing the general problem of mobile phones in schools and whether they contributed to behavioural disorders among pupils.