Truants tackled in crackdown (From Barry And District News)

Truants tackled in crackdown

MORE THAN 40 Vale children were caught on the streets last week when the police launched a truancy crackdown.

Officers took part in a number of truancy patrols across the whole area on Thursday, September 25.

The truancy operation was carried out in Barry, Penarth and Llantwit Major from 10am until 1pm.

It involved a police officer and Education Welfare Officer approaching the out-of-school pupils. Young people were quizzed as to why they were not on educational premises between school hours and during term-time.

As a result of the patrols, 11 students were taken back to their schools by the officers.

In total 43 young people were spotted by the patrols and were reported as being absent from school.

31 were accompanied by a parent or adult who gave a number of reasons for their child's absence, and one pupil was returned home by the patrolling officers.

Vale of Glamorgan Divisional Commander, Superintendent Josh Jones said: "We are working with the Vale Local Authority and parents to reduce truancy.

"If the children are in school they are safe, their parents know where they are and they are receiving an education.

Of course, it also means that they can't get up to mischief."