Task force tackle truants in Bury

Date published: 16 March 2010

A task force of education welfare officers and local police have stopped 40 people in a one day truancy sweep.

Two of the stops involved young children going shoe shopping with grandparents. According to the education welfare team this is one of the most common excuses given by parents and grandparents along with sore throats and poorly tummies.

After the sweep, letters were sent to each of the schools where the individuals attended and one primary school in Rawtenstall replied offering support for the initiative adding that it be approaching the parent on the child's return.

With more ‘stop and go’ sweeps planned for early this month parents will need to be on their guard.

Although historically parents have only been issued with penalty notices for prolonged and continued absences, the council has the ability to issue on fines of £50 if parents fail to ensure their child attends school. If the fine is not paid within 28 days this rises to £100 and if not paid within 42 days it can mean a trip to court.

Inspector Charlotte Cadden said: “The results from this one day of action were amazing and the excuses people came up with were unbelievable. The law clearly says that if you do not make sure your children go to school you are guilty of an offence. You can be fined by being issued with a penalty notice, or prosecuted. We are hoping that these random stop and go sweeps will hit the mark and prevent children from losing out on their education.”

Janice Bullen from the council’s education welfare team said; “Working with the police on this initiative was a great idea, we found the support of the police community support officers very reassuring. They were particularly helpful when dealing with some uncooperative parents and grandparents. The project is a great demonstration of how working together can tackle a problem effectively and long may it continue.”