DISTURBING new figures show instances of violence in schools have more than doubled since 2015.

Statistics released this week highlight an increasing problem with aggressive crime among Bolton’s young people, with nearly a quarter of teachers saying they are dealing with a rising number of physical attacks.

Factors involved include constant peer pressures brought by social media, more people carrying weapons and concerns over “toxic masculinity”.

The number of knife crime reports has also risen, with authorities registering nearly 90 per cent more incidents in the last four years.

It follows research commissioned by the police and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and completed by Innovation Unit, a group set up to research and provide solutions for solutions issues.

Matthew Horne, deputy director of Innovation Unit, said the work has highlighted some major concerns brought by residents across the region.

“We’ve heard from worried parents who want help to talk to their children about the risks of gang culture, particularly carrying and using weapons,” Mr Horne said.

“We’ve talked to teachers who want to improve students’ anger and emotional management and want police in schools to support pupils in making good life choices.

“And we’ve engaged with young people, especially boys, who find themselves under increasing pressure over social media to act tough and seek revenge for the merest slight.”

One of the most shocking conclusions of the report was the scale of aggressive behaviour being experienced in schools.

READ MORE: Is ‘toxic masculinity’ responsible for rising youth violence in Bolton?

More than 325 primary and secondary teachers shared experiences of violence, which more than doubled to 127 incidents a year - or three a week - since 2015.

Outside of schools, there is increasing concern over networks of gangs run through social media who are exploiting young people to help with crime.

But, youth groups in Bolton say they can make a difference and help the town buck the trend.

Zac’s Youth Bar, in Farnworth, sends staff out onto the street to speak to youths, especially in areas where crime or aggressive behaviour has been reported.

And, in the last year, the organisation has actually noted a reduction in violent crime among the young people who engage with staff.

Out of a recent survey looking at more than 850 different young people in Bolton, there was a 78 percent reduction in the number of individuals involved in crime, violence or anti-social behaviour.

Tracey Wilkinson, from Zac’s, said: “If our youth workers see groups of young people gathering in a particular place they will stop to chat to them. Some walk away and say they’re not interested but lots of others will stop and speak to our staff.

“They make friends and they want to talk to us and we can understand what they’re dealing with.

“We’re constantly trying to adapt to see if we’re going to the right areas at the right times and I do think that it’s making a difference - our figures show that.”

She added: “It’s often about the public making us aware. People tend to moan a lot on Facebook and that gets nothing done. But, as long as they go through the right channels they are making a difference. The police and the council will do something.

“I know people complain that nothing changes when they tell the police but they use that information and they come to us and we are able to target area’s where there’s a problem.”

READ MORE: Social media could be ‘amplifying conflict and aggression' in Bolton's schools

Community outreach is something that is also highlighted in Innovation Unit’s report, with researchers suggesting group’s like Zac’s could make a major impact on the issue of violence.

Another suggestion was that police review their youth programmes and aim to improve relationships with community leaders, something that is already happening across Bolton.

Recommendations for the Greater Manchester Authorities to consider off the back of the report include:

  • Introduce social media training for all Yr6 pupils and their parents
  • Lobby social media companies to improve the reporting of violent content
  • Provide single-sex lessons on violence and identity
  • Introduce community guardians in housing estates with high levels of violent crime
  • Create locally-based violent crime reduction teams
  • Review locally-based outreach and neighbourhood policing
  • Create pastoral teams for pupils in Years 5-9
  • Support parents to tackle unwanted behaviour

The research for the report began in July 2019 and was published in December 2019.