Eleven pupils stopped in truancy sweep

ELEVEN pupils were stopped and questioned when police and county education welfare service officers staged a truancy sweep in Bexhill.

The team patrolled areas around local schools and shops, questioning any youngsters of school age who were seen out of school.

Police have power under the Crime and Disorder Act to return truant pupils to their schools but in this instance it was not necessary.

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Cllr Rupert Simmons, lead county cabinet member for education, said: "The parents of any young person found out of school without valid reason are contacted by our education welfare service and schools are also notified of all pupils stopped and questioned.

"Where necessary, pupils are returned to school using police powers under the Crime and Disorder Act.

"We take this issue very seriously. The joint truancy sweep at Bexhill was one of a number scheduled across the county throughout the academic year, in addition to the local patrols carried out by our education welfare officers and school liaison officers."