Gunmen are preying on students of a high school in Clarendon, THE STAR has learnt.

It is said that in recent weeks armed thugs have been relieving students of their valuables in a bushy area which is a short distance from the school.

The Clarendon police say they have heard of the situation and school officials are expected to submit a formal report.

Head of the Clarendon police, Superin-tendent Dathan Henry, said a report will be needed so the police can carry out their duty.

"We are yet to receive an official report ... We need school officials to communicate with us so we can look into the matter, and urge the kids not to go to the area while we maintain a presence there," Superintendent Henry said.

Efforts to speak with the school's principal were unsuccessful as she was said to be unavailable on several occasions.

However, one teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the students have been told not to go to the area where the robberies are taking place but they still do so. The students reportedly claim that they go there to get transportation.

One police source said that in the latest robberies, last Thursday, at least 10 students were robbed of cellphones, cash and other valuables.

"Based on the arguments we are hearing, the students were approached by a group of gunmen who demanded their belongings ... About 10 students were robbed in that incident ... We have heard of a few incidents like that in recent times," the corporal told THE STAR.

That same day, in a similar incident, men armed with knives entered the campus of the Meadowbrook High School in St Andrew and tried to rob students.

One man was reportedly held.