POLICE have been asked to examine CCTV footage as part of investigations into violence and damage which erupted as youngsters left high school.

Three officers were deployed to patrol Bedale after previous problems on the last official day of school for Year 11 pupils at the town’s secondary school at the end of May.

The town council was told there had been a fight involving two students in the town, paint had been thrown around the park and on footpaths and graffiti daubed inside and outside Bedale Hall, which is a listed building.

Councillor Amanda Coates said: "I was horrified when I walked the dog in the park the morning after, at the mess that was left.”

Sergeant Jerry Perrin said the headteacher had been very disappointed at the behaviour of the pupils on the day.

He said bags had been checked at the school and that had helped as alcohol had been confiscated.

“I find it incredible that police should be involved in it but that appears to be what is happening,” he said.

“The searching of the bags worked well, but it is this stupid thing of throwing paint. I would have had more officers there if we had had more notice. We will work with the school to resolve this.”

Cllr John Noone said it wouldn’t be hard to identify the offenders and councillors asked that CCTV footage be examined.

“There was mess all over the footpaths and it isn’t good enough, we have to curtail it or it is going to get worse they will try to outdo each other,” he added.

Bedale High School said in a statement it had worked with the police, parents and through assemblies, to manage the day and dismissal from school was calm and supervised.

However, headteacher Mick Jolley and associate head Sian Rees added: “A number of students were determined to celebrate in an inappropriate manner which caused distress to some members of the community and diminished the reputation of our school.

“We acknowledge that there is an issue in which a number of Year 11 students perceive on the final day of school that they are able to behave in a way that is contrary to the ethos of our school and our local community.

“Over the last two years we have challenged this culture with considerable success.

“Our relationship with our community is extremely important to us."