The Scottish Bible Society has launched a new campaign to help children living in fear in Jamaica’s gangland townships.

The organisation said the reality for children in these areas was far from the sun-kissed holiday in paradise enjoyed by tourist.

Poverty-stricken towns are plagued by criminal activity linked to illegal drug smuggling. The organisation warned that children are often caught up in the fallout of crime, experiencing violence in the home and witnessing brutal attacks on teachers in their classrooms.

It said that in some areas the beatings had become so severe that schools had been forced to close down because teachers were terrified of being attacked, while many children are also choosing to stay away from school because of the violence.

The campaign has been launched to support the work of the Bible Society of the West Indies in reaching youngsters and helping them escape the cycle of crime.

Scottish Bible Society chief executive Elaine Duncan said change was desperately needed on the island.

“Jamaica is an island of opposites,” she said. “On the face of it we see a paradise where tourists revel in all manner of delights.

“But there is another side to island life: townships controlled by gangs who have close ties to organised crime networks with drug smuggling and money laundering at their heart.”

The Scottish Bible Society aims to raise £45,000 to cover the cost of three children’s pastors, who will visit schools and run counselling sessions and conduct devotions with at-risk children over a two-year period. It also wants to provide needy students with Bibles.

Ms Duncan told of one thirteen-year-old girl who was prone to bouts of intense rage in the classroom until receiving a Bible from the Bible Society.

“With this kind of intervention it is hoped that children can be rescued before they are swallowed up by crime, violence, evil influences and drugs,” said Duncan.

“Change won’t happen overnight but we want to give these children a chance of escape.”

She added: “Think what a difference the Scriptures combined with the counselling skills of the pastors could make to young lives currently caught in a pattern of destruction.”