POLICE have been carrying out 100 home visits a week to parents of truanting children as part of a new crackdown.

They have also been searching for children who are ‘bunking off’ in the Southend area and taking them straight back to school.

The initative has been running in conjunction with the Integrate Youth Support Service. (IYSS)

Insp Brad Dickel, of Leigh police, said: “It’s a very relevant piece of work being done because if these individuals aren’t at school what are they doing and how vulnerable are they, what activities are they taking part in and who are they associating with?’’

In the first two weeks of February, police made 264 home visits, of these just 77 parents or carers were at home to speak with.

The rest will receive follow-up visits and contact with the IYSS. Twelve children were returned to school after being found truanting.