Reports of crime in schools rose to more than 30,000 last year – equivalent to 160 allegations per school day.

The data, revealed yesterday, is from 32 forces across the UK for a Freedom of Information request by the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme.

In 2014, 30,394 crimes were reported at primaries, secondaries and further education institutions. There were 28,444 in 2013. Theft, burglary and robbery were the most prolific offences, with 13,003 reported.

Shock figures: In 2014, 30,394 crimes were reported at primaries, secondaries and further education institutions. Theft, burglary and robbery were the most prolific offences, with 13,003 reported (file photo)

There were 9,319 allegations of violent crime, 4,106 investigations into damage or arson and 754 reported drug offences. Some 1,502 sex crimes were recorded by the 25 forces who gave data on such offences.

The NSPCC said the figures were ‘worrying’.

Superintendent Laurence Taylor of Sussex Police, regional policing lead for children and young people, said it was important for police forces to have a presence in schools.

He told the BBC: ‘If we don’t get it right with policing in schools, we miss opportunities to intervene at an early stage to prevent children’s behavioural issues becoming more problematic in later life.

‘It is important we break down barriers between children and police, intervene early when problems do arise and support schools in pupils’ education (regarding issues such as online safety).’

There were 9,319 allegations of violent crime, 4,106 investigations into damage or arson and 754 reported drug offences (file photo)

His force, Sussex Police, currently has 27 dedicated neighbourhood schools officers, who each work with a cluster of schools in the region.

But, he added, while some forces were investing more in schools officers, others were reducing their provisions because of pressure on resources.

An NSPCC spokesman said: ‘The volume of sexual offences associated with school premises is worrying but thankfully more and more victims of sexual abuse have the confidence to speak up and there is a greater awareness of this crime than ever before.’

A government spokesman added: ‘Crime and violent behaviour have no place in our schools.

‘We have put teachers back in charge of the classroom.

‘They can search pupils without consent, confiscate prohibited items and use reasonable force to remove disruptive pupils from the classroom when necessary.

‘We know many good schools already work with the police and other organisations to educate pupils and protect them from harm and involvement in crime.’

Meanwhile in July it emerged that 300 young children a week in term-time are being suspended from school for assaulting an adult - with the number of cases on the rise.

Pupils aged five to 11 at primary school were suspended 11,420 times for attacking teachers, parents and staff in 2013-14 - up 25 per cent from 9,080 a year earlier.