Police in Coventry are linking
up with education welfare officials to launch another crackdown on
truants in the city.
Youngsters seen in the town
centre during school hours without a valid reason will be sent back to
lessons.
Officers will use a new
temporary police station in the Precinct, which is opening this week,
as a base for Operation Scallywag.
PC Maria Francis, who is part
of Little Park Street police station’s community safety bureau,
said:
”Truancy increases in the
weeks before Christmas and youngsters who play truant are at risk
from either becoming a victim of crime or of becoming involved in
crime themselves.
”By working in partnership
with the education department and the retailers we hope to prevent
this from happening and help children to keep and safe and continue
their education.”
The initiative will run until
the beginning of the Christmas holidays.
Senior education welfare
officer Janet McConkey said:
“It is important to
remember that making sure children attend school regularly is first
and foremost the responsibility of parents.
“This
is stated quite clearly in the 1996 Education Act and parents risk
heavy fines if they allow their children to be out of school.”
