School truants in spotlight

A drive against truancy in north Worcestershire has found scores of children out of school without good reason.

The crackdown came less than a week after a similar operation in Hereford found record numbers of truants.

Thirty-four children from Kidderminster and 37 from Bromsgrove were stopped and questioned as to why they were absent from school.

Some were with a parent or other adult, and some were as young as six.

Escorted back to school

Although some of the children had good reasons for being away from school, many were absent without permission.

Officers report they were surprised to be caught out and escorted back to school.

Parents are being contacted about their absent children.

West Mercia Police say further sweeps are planned, and warn persistent truants' parents they could end up in court facing a £2,000 fine or even a prison sentence.