The four, charged with looting and causing criminal damage, are a little younger than most other criminals he's seen: The oldest is 2 years old.

Incidents that have sparked the schools' action include arson costing $15 million in 2003, assaults or threats against school staff and students, repeated burglaries, theft and criminal damage of computers, gang fights spilling onto school grounds, student violence over teenage relationships, and Workcover stress claims by teachers, partly due to clashes with parents and students.

A third of all 14 to 15 year olds admitted criminal damage.