Police patrols target truants

Police will hand out leaflets about the danger of missing school

Pupils who miss lessons are being targeted over the next few weeks.

Northumbria Police officers will be working with education welfare officers in Sunderland and in Newcastle to track down truants.

The areas they will be concentrating on are Sunderland City, Sunderland west, Washington and Newcastle east.

Pc Neill Wrightson, Sunderland City area command youth issues officer, said: "Our message to both pupils and parents is that in education every day counts. If you fail to attend school even for just a day you have missed an opportunity to learn.

"Police are particularly concerned that youngsters who truant put themselves at risk of becoming involved in crime, either by becoming a victim or committing offences themselves.

"Truants may congregate in out of city areas and may become targeted by people who prey on their vulnerability."

Parents' responsibility

Police will hand out leaflets to those they stop with information about the dangers of missing school and outlining parental responsibilities.

Pc Wrightson said: "Our primary concern is the safety of youngsters who are not secure in a protected school environment.

"Parents have a responsibility to ensure their children regularly attend school. If they allow their child to become a persistent truant, such parents could be brought before the courts and may be fined up to £2,500."

Last winter police and educational social workers stopped 78 pupils on Wearside during a truancy initiative.

Of these 42 were absences condoned by their parents, 33 had their absence authorised by school, two were excluded from school and one had a legitimate pass out from school.