SHOPPERS and traders have demanded that teachers be posted in Wanstead High Street to control rowdy pupils after school.

Their calls come after complaints of a marked increase in anti-social behaviour caused by Wanstead High School youngsters who congregate in the area on their way home in the afternoon.

Many elderly residents claim they no longer visit the shops after 3pm because of the large number of schoolchildren hanging around 'swearing and fighting' in the area.

The school took action to deal with anti-social behaviour among its pupils two years ago after the Guardian revealed that several High Street shops had banned them from entering because of shoplifting by a minority of youngsters.

But Dill Purneet, manager of The Art Shop, said problems caused by Wanstead High pupils had deteriorated significantly during the past few months - following a period of steady improvement.

He said: "The problem was at its worst two years ago, but then the school stopped most kids coming out at lunchtime and that improved things alot.

"The main problem is after school when the children come into the High Street in large numbers, and it has got worse during the past few months.

"Most of the kids are fine, but there are big groups of troublemakers. There have been a couple of fights here during the past month alone.

"Lots of my customers are elderly and they are fearful when their are lots of rowdy children hanging around outside.

"There are some police officers around, but it would be far more effective if we had teachers here making sure the children behave themselves."

These views were backed by grandmother-of-two, Valerie Sayers, who said she was fed up of wading through disgarded chip wrappers and other rubbish thrown on the floor by pupils.

She said: "Alot of the children stand around eating chips and burgers in the High Street after school and then just chuck the remains on the floor.

"It's very unpleasant for people to get around at that time of day because of the big gangs of children who come down the street and won't part to let you by.

"We need teachers here after school to marshall the pupils, but I'm guessing their is some union agreement which says they don't have to do that."

Pensioner, Jack Figg, of Grove Park, said the school's reputation was being damaged by its pupils behaviour.

He said: "My wife went to the school as a child and in those days the children were expected to uphold its reputation when wearing its uniform.

"These children are damaging the school's reputation by behaving badly, and the school needs to take more responsibility for this.

"The police say they have tried to work with the school to tackle this, but from what I can see it's not doing much good at the moment."

Snaresbrook Safer Neighbourhoods Team has yet to comment.