Brown vows to get tough on bullies

The Prime Minister-elect insisted teachers must have the ability to clamp down on bullies inside and outside schools.

After taking part in a national anti-bullying protest, Mr Brown said he had requested a review of teachers powers and resources in six months time. He said: "We will strengthen that if necessary."

Mr Brown visited St John's Primary School in Croydon, to join pupils who were among more than a million nationwide to take part in Beatbullying's "Big Stand".

Children at schools across the country stood up and shouted "No to bullying".

Mr Brown said afterwards: "Bullying is a no-go area. Every child must know that we will clamp down very hard when there is bullying. It is about discipline in schools and I think what we have seen now is that teachers will have the powers to be able to take action and we will back up the teachers with resources.

"It is not just about bullying in the playground or the school itself but on the streets as well, and we want to bring the police in to this as well so that from an early age children know it is completely unacceptable."

Mr Brown indicated that his government would back teachers who intervened physically to deal with aggressive pupils.

But shadow education secretary David Willetts said there was "nothing new" in Mr Brown's remarks.

He said: "Instead of reheated announcements we need effective measures to tackle bad behaviour, like giving heads more power to exclude pupils."