MORE than 60 children were stopped by police and education welfare officers in the latest truancy crackdown in North Kent.

The truancy sweep took place in Gravesend town centre on Friday, between 10am and 2pm.

Dozens of children of school age were spotted by officers.

Of the 66 stopped and spoken to, six were returned to school and three returned home.

Education welfare officers from Kent County Council will now contact the parents and schools of the children suspected of truanting to offer advice and guidance.

Sergeant Di Middlemiss, who led the truancy operation, said: “Parents who persistently fail to ensure their children’s attendance at school face fines and even prison sentences.

”Children have the right to an education and a bright future and their parents or guardians should be doing all they can to ensure school attendance.”