The police officers will be available throughout the school day

The campus police initiative is being introduced at two schools in Coatbridge and one in Wishaw.

Three constables will move into special offices at Coatbridge High, St Andrew's High and Clyde Valley High.

It follows the success of similar initiatives by other local authorities in the west of Scotland.

The schools selected for the project were jointly identified by Strathclyde Police and North Lanarkshire Council on the basis of deprivation and concern about the levels of juvenile crime.

Councillor Jim Logue, Convener of North Lanarkshire Council's Learning & Leisure Services Committee, said: "Visits to other authorities have shown the success of these initiatives."

"This is primarily about improving the support available to our pupils and the campus police officer posts will be a welcome addition to the supportive, pastoral and guidance role currently provided by staff."

The police service is integral to any community and a school community should be no different Supt Dorrian Strathclyde Police

Ian Sommerville, headteacher at Clyde Valley High School, said: "I am sure the presence of a campus officer can only help young people and the police develop greater trust.

"I am confident it will foster positive relationships between them and will benefit both the young people themselves and, in the slightly longer term, all our local communities."

Supt Austin Dorrian, from Strathclyde Police, said: "The police service is integral to any community and a school community should be no different.

"We recognise young people may need support and guidance and this initiative seeks to do just that in an environment where it can be most effective."

Basing police officers in schools has proved successful in other parts of the west of Scotland.

Earlier this year East Renfrewshire council said the appointment of so-called campus cops had resulted in a drop in levels of vandalism, street drinking and assault.