Emergency radios and police officers are to be assigned to several schools in a town centre.

Secondary schools in Tunbridge Wells will be rolling out new measures after a spate of anti-social behaviour.

It comes after an increase in aggressive behaviour in the area – specifically outside a number of schools, as well as St John’s Road and the town centre.

At the beginning of the month, two 13-year-olds were charged following allegations residents were assaulted and subjected to threats of violence in their own home.

The teenagers were arrested following reports of an unprovoked incident at an address in High Brooms.

Both are currently bailed to attend Medway Magistrates’ Court in July.

Kent Police, Tunbridge Wells Safe Town Partnership and the Town’s MP Greg Clark are working together to prevent more incidents from happening.

Mr Clark says he was approached by several headteachers who were “deeply concerned about the unacceptable behaviour” of a number of students.

“A dozen youths, all under 18, have been vandalising property, trespassing on school premises, threatening people, abusing staff, engaging in racial harassment, stealing from shops and committing acts of violence,” he said.

“There is also a separate group causing trouble to residents and shops in Paddock Wood.

“Most are known to the police and attend local schools.

“While no-one wants young people to have a criminal record, I think it is right that persistent criminal behaviour, following repeated warnings, requires action to be taken.”

There will now be a greater police presence in the town and staff have increased their support for students leaving at the end of the day.

Each secondary will have a named and known officer, whose job will involve getting to know each school concerned.

Mr Clark added: “I approached the Safer Town Partnership and am very grateful that they agreed to my request to equip the schools with radios that connect directly to the police and CCTV operators.

“I hope that this will give them an extra level of security and a fast connection to help should they need it.

“Our area is generally a safe and respectful place, and it is important to intervene to keep it that way.

“There are some signs that the increased police presence is having an effect, but it is still early days and the extent of the behaviour is very substantial.”

Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School For Boys, The Skinners’ School, Bennett Memorial Diocesan School and St Gregory's Catholic School are all said to have signed up to the new rollout.

Edward Wesson, headmaster of The Skinners’ School in St John's Road, said: "I am hopeful that the initiative of forming partnerships with schools through Child Centred Policing Teams will improve our access to support from the police.

“This is both in terms of education but also dealing with pinch points at the end of the school day – when several thousand children come out onto the streets at virtually the same time.

“By definition, police presence at such times can be highly effective in managing behaviour."