A POLICE blitz has been launched against truants in a bid to slash anti-social behaviour in Sandbach and Alsager.

In the first of a series of crackdowns on Monday, officers netted a total of seven schoolchildren in a high-profile sweep.

The parents of the youngsters, all aged between 12 and 14, have been informed and the relevant authorities are now conducting enquiries.

Officers are keen to get to grips with the problem, which has been linked to anti-social behaviour and offending.

Sergeant Gareth Woods warns the crackdowns will now be conducted on a regular basis.

He said: 'I am very pleased with the result. It is something new to us but we are keen to take a pro-active route.

'Confronting these problems head-on is the best way of dealing with them. We want to get to these kids before they become known to us on a criminal level.

'We also want the schools and the parents to know we are there for them, because they obviously have problems with some of these children. It is in everyone's interests to get them off the streets in the long run.'

Senior education welfare officer for East Cheshire, Mary Flinn has been working in partnership with police and schools in the area to tackle the problem, which is on the increase.

She said: 'We have been doing these sweeps for 12 months in East Cheshire, but this is the first one in the Congleton Borough. Parents and children can be assured they will continue.

'Some of these kids are on our books already, but what we are hoping is that the truancy sweeps helps us to identify the children who are not flagged up.

'There is a known link between youth offending and truancy so it is important to reach them before they get involved in deviant activities.'

The authorities are keen to re-educate parents about the importance of getting their children to school. Prosecutions of truants' parents are on the increase can result in a £2,500 fine and three months in prison.

Mrs Flinn added: 'One of the most common excuses is that the child is ill, particularly if they are with a parent. Yet they are well enough to go out shopping!

'When we pick a truant up we write to the parent and send them an information pack. It also gives them an opportunity to ask us any questions.'