BULLYING and violence in East Lancashire schools has reduced since 2005, new data has revealed.

According to figures released by the Department for Education, there are 30,000 fewer children in England facing bullying than a decade previously, thanks to sharp falls in violent threats and physical attacks.

However the proportion experiencing the most common forms of school-age bullying, name-calling and social exclusion, has remained similar.

The survey of more than 10,000 young people found that the proportion of pupils experiencing regular bullying – around seven per cent – was much the same as the previous 2005 survey.

The largest decline was for those who experienced acts of bullying less often than once a month.

Richard Jones, head teacher at St Christopher’s CE High School in Accrington, said: “Pupils have a right to feel safe at school.

“It is important to address any incidents that take place in a robust and uncompromising manner but also to create an ethos where pupils feel supported and valued.

“To paraphrase a much maligned former prime minister, ‘we should be tough on bullying and tough on the causes of bullying’.”

The data also shows that robbery between pupils has halved to one per cent.

In April, a State of Education report revealed that school leaders in the North West were concerned about bullying in schools.

The report was compiled by The Key, an organisation that provides leadership and management support to schools.

Education secretary Nicky Morgan said: “As part of our commitment to delivering social justice we are helping teachers and charities end the scourge of bullying in our schools.

“We are determined to tackle any barriers which stop pupils attending school and learning so they can fulfil their potential. Thanks to our reforms and their efforts, bullying is plummeting.”