MORE than half the children found skiving from school during a truancy sweep failed to explain why they were not in class.

Education welfare officers and Thanet youth crime reduction officer Tom McIntyre stopped 90 youngsters who were out and about during school hours on Thursday, December 2 - and 50 could not explain their absence.

Of these, 37 were told to return to class while the remainder were said to be at risk and were taken by officers to school or the education welfare centre.

Eight of those stopped were with a parent or guardian and the remaining 32 had a valid reason for their absence.

Insp McIntyre is disappointed by the high number of children on the streets.

He said: “I am aware that there may be any number of reasons why pupils feel they have to leave school without permission. However, while they are not there, they cannot be accounted for in an emergency.

“Although we can take legal action against parents, we usually try to inform pupils of how their education and opportunities will suffer if they are absent from school.

“We also advise pupils who are continually absent without reason that their truancy may lead to their parents being prosecuted.”

Police and education welfare officers say that further truancy sweeps across the district are planned.