Seven pupils caught truanting in Moss Side sweeps
11 February 2008
Two truancy sweeps carried out in Moss Side on 30 January and 1 February caught a total of seven pupils out of school without a valid reason.
On the first sweep, a total of 12 young people were stopped. Six of them had no valid reason to be out of school. Nine of the pupils were unaccompanied.
On the second sweep, three children were stopped, and one had no valid reason for being out of school.
Officers from the city council's school attendance improvement service (SAIS), accompanied by police officers, carried out the sweeps as part of a Respect Action Week operation in the area.
Parents of all the children stopped will receive a letter from the SAIS explaining what happened and the truanting children will be monitored for thee weeks. Any more school absences could lead to parents being invited to an attendance panel with SAIS officers, school staff, Connexions and school-based police officers.
If truanting still continues, a fine of £50 to be paid within 28 days, rising to £100 within 42 days, could be imposed.
The Executive Member for Children's Services, Councillor Sheila Newman, said: "It is up to parents to act responsibly by making sure their children attend school. It should really go without saying that regular attendance is in the child's best interests."
Media contacts:
Dave Hulme, tel: 0161 234 4610
Jane Lemon, tel: 0161 234 3179
