Extra police officers are to be moved into schools across Essex in an effort to crack down on troublemakers.

An undisclosed number of PCs will take up posts around the county in September.

The extra officers are thought to be coming from backroom positions in the force as part of Chief Constable Roger Baker's commitment to get more frontline officers on the street.

Chief officers hope the "strategic stationing" will nip trouble in the bud at a young age and help the police bond more closely with the community.

Mr Baker's campaign to build better relations between his officers and residents has also seen neighbourhood policing teams carry out high-visibility patrols in rural areas, mingling with the community to gather intelligence.

A total of 30 PCs are already stationed in, or oversee the policing of, "clusters" of schools in Essex.

Temple Sutton School, in Southend, which is one of the Government's flagship "extended" schools, has a police station on its premises, which serves as the base for the area's neighbourhood policing team.

It is thought other schools in Southend, Basildon and Castle Point could be among the beneficiaries of the scheme.

Insp Kate Sale, from the youth section at Essex Police, said: "We are looking to increase the number of officers by September, and to get them from internal posts.

"This is part of the refocusing of officers and also part of a national Safer Schools Partnership, which has proven to be an effective approach to working with people at a young age and, if there are problems, nipping them in the bud."

Stationing of the extra officers is under way but the exact details have not yet been released.

It is thought the force needs to firm things up with its partners before announcing the move.

Insp Sale added: "This is a positive thing and our chief officers really believe in it."