West Country (E) truancy News

Nearly 40 homes in Weston-super-Mare and Worle have been visited by police in a crackdown on truancy. They issued warnings to parents and children that unless their school attendance improved it could lead to prosecution.

We'd had reports from shops and residents on the Bourneville estate that there were a number of children hanging around the streets during school hours, some of whom were involved in low level anti-social behaviour.

The police conducted a sweep of the area's four main schools in conjunction with North Somerset Council.

Historically, when we carry out these audits, the pupils' attendance improves. The children and parents involved are given support and encouragement from all the relevant agencies to help them improve their truancy record, which in turn improves their educational achievement.

• UK
• truancy
• Weston-super-Mare

Police in Wiltshire are claiming success in a truancy crackdown that involves visiting the homes of children who fail to turn up at school.

Parents in Amesbury have been told to expect a knock on the door if their child doesn't attend class without an explanation. Police say they've yet to make a repeat visit to families where truancy had previously been a problem.

• UK
• schools
• truancy