Barely two months ago we were deploring the fact that there had been 71 logged assaults on teachers, support staff and kitchen staff in Bradford schools between the start of the year and the end of February. The situation appears to have worsened since, with a further 116 attacks on school staff reported since the beginning of March. It is happening every day.

It could be, of course, that one reason for the increase is that since the earlier figures were published more members of staff have been encouraged to come forward to report incidents. But that does not alter the fact that a disturbingly high number of pupils are behaving violently towards the people whose job it is to see that they get the education they need to equip them for adult life.

The latest round of attacks includes kicking, biting, stamping, punching and throwing things. It cannot be tolerated. As GMB union convener Ray Alderman warns, there might eventually be a very serious assault with dire consequences.

With all the educational problems Bradford faces, it is obvious that the district needs to be able to recruit and retain good teachers. A growing fear of being assaulted is hardly an incentive for people to apply for jobs here or, indeed, to join the profession in the first place.

Two months ago we stressed the need for teachers, heads, education authorities, governors and parents to present a united front if unruly behaviour is to be controlled. The situation as revealed in the latest figures makes firm action even more urgent.