POLICE IN TRUANCY SWEEP

The county's education welfare service and Sussex Police joined forces to target areas around schools and main towns in the area.

All pupils who did not have valid reasons for absence were returned to school using police powers under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Parents accompanying pupils were also challenged over the reasons they give for a school absence.

If this was not confirmed, the absence is marked down as unauthorised.

A letter was then sent to the family by the education welfare service and the local school notified.

In Lewes nine pupils were stopped and questioned - three were accompanied by a parent.

Two pupils did not have a valid reason for their absence.

In Uckfield four pupils were stopped and questioned - one was accompanied by a parent.

One pupil did not have a valid reason for absence.

In Hailsham eight pupils were stopped and questioned - five were accompanied by a parent.

All pupils stopped had valid reasons for their absence.

In Newhaven one pupil was stopped and questioned with a valid reason for their absence.

Pupils were also stopped and questioned in Hastings, St Leonards and Rye.

The truancy sweep is part of an ongoing programme taking place throughout the county to improve school attendance.