A MOBILE police station is to become the latest weapon in a crackdown on truancy in North Yorkshire.

The county's police force is teaming up with education chiefs to make parents aware of the potential legal consequences of not ensuring that their children attend school.

Their initiative follows recent high-profile efforts elsewhere in the country to focus attention on the growing problem, including the jailing of a mother for not ensuring her children were at school.

North Yorkshire police youth liaison officers and social workers are warning that truancy can seriously disrupt a child's academic progress.

As well as damaging their future career prospects, the experts warn that unsupervised children who deliberately avoid lessons are running the risk of drifting into crime.

North Yorkshire's mobile police station will be visiting the market towns of the Hambleton district, with officers giving out leaflets and advice to anyone who feels their child could be in trouble.

The roadshow will be in Northallerton on Wednesday; Thirsk on Monday, June 24; Easingwold on Friday, June 28; Bedale on Tuesday, July 2; and Stokesley on Thursday, July 4.

It will be in the market places of every town from 9am to 4pm on each day.

Police said there would be further action after the summer holidays.

Officers and social workers will be mounting "truancy sweeps" throughout the Hambleton district under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Youngsters spotted out without a legitimate reason that has been cleared by the school, can be immediately taken off the streets and taken to an approved place of safety, whether or not the pupils are accompanied by parents.

Hambleton youth action officer, PC Jacki Burton, said: "It is hoped that by giving them prior warning and information from the mobile police station about their legal responsibilities, all parents will make sure their children regularly attend school."