London's schools should "drastically reduce" the rate at which disruptive pupils are excluded, the city's violence reduction chief has said.
Lib Peck admitted that permanent exclusions would still happen but the aim should be to change bad behaviour.
Schools need more support to address problems that often begin in the period between primary and secondary school, she said.
She spoke as the mayor pledged almost £2m to help tackle the issue.
The money will be used for schemes in schools across seven borough to support them to reduce exclusions.
