A SCHOOL in Hartlepool is hoping to receive planning permission for a perimeter fence needed to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

Brierton School staff said their site was insecure and that trespassers could walk on unchecked.

They also said there were high levels of vandalism and the openness of the site encouraged lateness and truancy by pupils, which they found difficult to manage.

They said that pupils and staff had experienced incidents of abuse by trespassers, which have had an impact on morale.

The proposal to erect the fence has caused controversy among neighbours. A similar previous application attracted 19 objections and an 85-signature petition.

The application was withdrawn and further consultations were carried out.

A new application has been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council's planning committee, with councillors being recommended to approve it on Wednesday.

There are still seven objectors who said they did not want the area looking like an industrial estate or prison camp.

They said it would deprive children of a play area and that it was so close to homes that it would be like living in a cage.

A council report to the meeting said: "The school is experiencing problems with unauthorised access to its playing fields and buildings. Incidents have included vandalism and dog fouling.

"The school hope the fence will reduce unauthorised access and criminal activities, whilst at the same time allowing greater control of the movement of its own pupils as a means of reducing truancy.

"In terms of its impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties, for the most part the fence will be set back to varying degrees from the perimeter of the site.

"In some ways, it is unfortunate the fence will deprive local people of their unauthorised access to the school field for informal recreation. However, the field is a school playing field first and foremost."