ERROR RG P4 2.5.2000 A story in Monday's Royal Gazette omitted the word `probably' from a Police statement. It should have said: "However, unless the school decides to contact Police there will probably be no Police involvement at this stage.'' And police deny saying they were powerless to act unless a complaint had been filed.

Police have called for schools to come clean over drugs after two private schools hit the headlines last week.

Last Thursday, The Royal Gazette revealed that Warwick Academy had waited a day before calling the Police after receiving claims a schoolgirl had brought cannabis into the school.

And on Friday, Saltus headmaster Nigel Kermode said his school refused to bring in Police despite admitting a pupil, who had owned up to possessing narcotics, was expelled.

Mr. Kermode said: "We don't have the legal requirement to involve the Police.

I spoke with the trustees and, under the terms, I am not obliged to go to Police.'' A Police spokesman said yesterday: "It is not entirely correct that the school should not have contacted Police about this matter.

"Possession of narcotics contravenes the Misuse of Drugs Act, and the reported school policy can be seen as an infringement on this Act.

"However unless the school decides to contact Police, there will be no Police involvement at this stage.'' The spokesman urged all schools to contact the Police about drug allegations but said Police were powerless to act unless a complaint had been filed.

He said: "We are concerned about drugs in schools. We have had two incidences in one week which have been reported in the Press.

"But we don't want to cause unnecessary alarm. Drugs in schools aren't the norm at all.'' DRUGS DGS