Truancy sweeps net missing pupils

A total of 87 young people were spoken to by the patrols and questioned as to why they were not in school.

Of those spoken to, 55 had valid reasons for their non attendance that day, however 24 pupils were returned to school using police powers taken from the Crime and Disorder Act.

Insp Russell Ternent, Sussex Police Youth Safety and Intervention Team, said: 'The number of young people challenged about not being in school were similar to county wide sweeps we have undertaken in the past'

'The Education Welfare Service will be following up with the parents or carers of truants as to why their children were not in school.

Totals: Hailsham - stopped 8, returned to school 6, accompanied 1, unaccompanied 7.

Newhaven and Peacehaven, one unaccompanied child stopped.

Lewes and Ringmer - stopped 10, returned to school 2, accompanied 6, unaccompanied 4.