One girl and six boys, aged 15 and 16, appeared in youth court on Wednesday after being arrested at an anti-war protest march last Friday. One was charged with assaulting a police officer and possession of an offensive weapon, the remainder with public-order offences.

Police dropped the assault and possession charges. All seven teenagers were offered a reprimand for the remaining charges, which they chose to accept.

They will not have a criminal record.

Two pupils at Prince Henry’s grammar school, in Leeds, were suspended last week, for inciting pupils to join a demonstration during school hours. And Birmingham City Council is investigating classroom walk-outs, which could culminate in legal action against the parents of protesters.