Half of British parents favour cane in classroom

The survey, conducted by YouGov, an international internet-based market research firm, found 49 percent of parents - and 19 percent of pupils - believe caning or smacking should be used to punish ‘very bad’ behaviour, Daily Mail reported.

It was also found that 40 percent of parents and 14 percent of children favoured corporal punishment in more general cases of ill discipline.

While 53 percent of parents and 77 percent of children were against the cane, the poll found nine out of ten parents -- and two-thirds of pupils -- wanted teachers to have more power to crack down on bad behaviour.

The survey comes just a week after British Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to restore order and respect in schools in the wake of last month’s riots.