A record number of kids are being shut out of school over drugs and booze - with the blame laid on County Lines gangs. Criminal groups recruiting and threatening youngsters have sent the number of exclusions soaring by almost a FIFTH in one year.
And Tory MPs are under fire for failing to heed warnings that vile crooks are exploiting vulnerable children. Figures obtained by us show pupils over 12 are being sent home at unprecedented rates for breaching drugs and alcohol rules.
In the last complete school year of 2018-19 there were 12,079 exclusions for turning up drunk or high, dealing drugs or abusing prescription medication.
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