A CRACKDOWN on youngsters who persist in skipping school is proving a success.

Northumbria Police and Sunderland Education Social Work Service are working in partnership to catch out truants.

Since November last year, there have been 12 truancy sweeps across the three Wearside area commands.

About 380 pupils have been stopped in parks, shopping centres and elsewhere, and questioned by officers.

Fifty-two were caught for truanting, 111 were absent with parental consent and 192 were legitimate absences.

A further 25 were found to be excluded from school and five had a legitimate pass-out from school.

PC Neill Wrightson, youth issues officer for Sunderland, said: "The aim of this activity is to make parents aware of their responsibilities in ensuring their children receive a proper education.

"It is disturbing to learn that parents frequently allow their children to stay away from school without good reason.

"This initiative aims to educate the parents and make them aware that they could face a huge fine of up to £2,500 for failing to ensure their child regularly attends school."

The authorities have received £9,000 from the Government's Safer Communities initiative to conduct additional truancy sweeps.

Funding has also paid for leaflets to teach parents the facts about truancy.

A council spokesman said: "Although the number of pupils stopped has reduced, there are still too many pupils truanting."