Truancy sweep hits town centre

Parents of truants face a fine of £2,500 or prison

Truancy sweeps are taking place in Barnsley throughout the month of May.

Education welfare officers are being joined by South Yorkshire Police officers for the crackdown.

Any child found in the town centre or outlying communities during school hours will be questioned, whether or not they are accompanied by an adult.

Unless they have a valid reason for being absent they will be returned to school.

£2,500 fine

Education welfare officer Ann Cardwell said: "Our message to both children and parents is that full-time school attendance is an essential part of pupils maintaining educational achievement.

"We know that children not at school may be at risk of committing crimes or becoming victims of crime."

Parents whose children persistently play truant are given 12 weeks to improve their child's behaviour or face a fine of up to £2,500 or imprisonment.

During a pre-Christmas sweep, 34 children of school age were returned to school of which 19 were accompanied by an adult.