CHILDREN playing truant are being targeted by Derbyshire County Council to ensure pupils are in school and learning.
The authority's education welfare officers and the police have been patrolling the streets, shopping centres and truancy hotspots of Swadlincote and surrounding areas on the lookout for children who are missing lessons.
During their first sweep last Tuesday, 17 children, aged five to 15, were stopped. Details were taken about their reasons for absence and followed up with the schools. The majority were accompanied by an adult.
Further sweeps are also due to be carried out and any pupil away from school without a genuine reason for absence will be immediately returned to school or an agreed place of safety.
The sweeps are part of Derbyshire County Council's work in conjunction with schools to improve attendance, which is improving across the board in Derbyshire with fewer children missing school than the national average.
Councillor Kevin Gillott, deputy leader of the county council and cabinet member for children and young people, said there was no excuse for deliberately missing out on education.
He said: "Every day matters and if you are not in school you can't be learning.
"Each day of school missed is a lost opportunity.
"I am pleased parents are becoming more aware of the importance of regular attendance."
