Police tackle truancy in town centre

Shopping and getting lunch were just some of the activities being undertaken by children found playing truant across Rochdale.

A truancy sweep, carried out by Police in Rochdale and partner agencies such as Rochdale Council education and welfare service, uncovered 60 children found to be absent from school without a valid reason.

Six of those were escorted back to school, and several others had their parents or guardians notified of the offence and warned that they could face fixed penalties or prosecution in a magistrates court should their children regularly fail to attend school. They were then escorted home and, in some cases, were asked to put their school uniforms on and taken back to school.

The patrols took place in the town centre and surrounding areas and focused on hotspot areas such as the shopping centre, bus station and surrounding parks.

A total of 40 boys and 20 girls were found by the officers during the operation.
Twenty-eight of those found were of primary school age and were in the company of an adult and 32 of them were of high school age.

Sergeant Carl O’Brien of Rochdale North Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “School is an important part of a child’s life and unauthorised absences mean children are not only missing out on vital schooling, but could also get involved with the wrong company.

“This in turn means that those youngsters can then turn to crime, violent gangs and drugs. We want the truancy patrols to give out a clear message that we regard absence from school as a serious matter.

“Parents should be aware that they are committing a criminal offence if they allow their child to be absent from school without permission or a legitimate reason.

“We are committed to stamping out criminal and anti-social behaviour in Rochdale and we will be carrying out these patrols in the future.

“Our message to anyone thinking of or who is playing truant is simple, don’t do it, you will get caught.”