Teachers Should Watch for Gangs in Class, Says Teachers' Union.

Teachers should be alert for signs of gangs such as pupils dressing in the same colours, using hand signals and wearing stab vests, a guidebook says.

The NASUWT union's guidance offers advice on how to spot gangs in schools.

This includes looking out for pupils using graffiti "tags" on belongings and adopting the same slang expressions.

NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said: "All schools need to be able to recognise gang-related problems and know what to do if these issues arise."

The online "toolkit", Keeping Every Child Safe, warns teachers to be on the alert for students suddenly changing their behaviour or dropping old friends to take up with a new group.

It says some pupils may start to come to school carrying knives or wear identical garments such as bandanas.

The guide calls on schools to work with local services, such as the police, to tackle gangs.

Ms Keates said the majority of schools were not directly affected by gang culture, but a small number of young people were "leading lives blighted by gangs, criminality, violence and bullying".

She added: "Gang cultures have their roots outside the school gates and it is important that schools recognise the rivalries and tensions that might exist between young people in their local areas."

The toolkit will be launched at the opening of the NASUWT's annual conference in Birmingham.

With thanks to bbc.co.uk/news for this news item.