POLICE were called out to schools across the district 1,192 times in the past year – the equivalent of three call-outs a day.

The reasons ranged from sexual assault to fraud to “animal related problems”.

The number is up from the previous year, when police were called to schools 1,145 times.

The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, relate to the period from November 2013 to October 2014.

One of the highest numbers of call-outs were under the classification “concern for safety” – with West Yorkshire Police sending out officers on 158 occasions.

There were 87 call-outs regarding burglaries on school grounds, 30 criminal damage call outs and 200 responses to anti-social behaviour.

Police were called out four times to problems involving pets at schools, and once for a wild animal.

Some calls were not directly linked to schools – one, a fatal traffic accident in June, involved a motorcyclist who died after crashing near Oxenhope Primary School.

Councillor Ralph Berry, executive member for children’s services at Bradford Council, pointed out that there were almost 200 schools in Bradford district and that a number of call-outs by police was to be expected.

He added: “One thing we are very good at in Bradford’s schools is linking with the police. Each school has a police liaison that they can contact with any issues, and the school knows exactly who to contact.

“Sometimes these call outs are for things like parental behaviour. There are a whole range of issues behind these figures.”