Town’s Christmas Truants Targeted

Parents who take their children Christmas shopping during school time are being targeted by police and social workers for encouraging truancy.

North Wales police and Education Social Workers will be on the look out for anyone who looks as if they should be in school and will be asking why the child is absent from school. They will also be on the look out for school age young people who are unaccompanied by an adult.

Cllr Michael Williams, Lead Member for Children’s Services and Education, said “Taking children out of school to do the Christmas shopping is encouraging truancy and parents and carers should be discouraged from doing so. I hope many parents will think twice before doing it and make arrangements to either take advantage of late night shopping or take their children into town after school or at the weekend.”

The Wrexham Truancy Patrol is a joint initiative run by North Wales Police and the Wrexham County Borough Council Education Social Work Team.

It was developed in 1995 following concerns from traders and other agencies within the town centre about the number of children of school age being absent from school. It has been cited by the Welsh Government as an example of good practice, with other authorities visiting Wrexham for advice on setting up their own schemes.

The Truancy Patrols are an integral part of the Local Authority’s commitment to improving school attendance and achievement. This is also linked to the local authority’s strategic plan and ensuring a safe environment for all our children.