A major scheme is to be launched to combat truancy in Harwich.
The Harwich School will place posters around the town centre and encourage traders not to serve pupils during school hours.
The school has held talks with the police, Harwich and District Crime Prevention Panel and the town centre manager over the plan.
Headteacher Jacky Froggatt said truancy affected less than one per cent of pupils, but was keen that it should not spread.
Part of the problem stems from parents allowing pupils to stay at home to help with chores, or even because it is the pupil's birthday.
Miss Froggatt said: "We are trying to work with the community to create something like a Neighbourhood Watch.
"We are talking about a Truancy Watch. We are planning to encourage shopkeepers and some of the bigger department stores to adopt a policy of not serving children of school age during school hours."
Published Wednesday, June 18, 2003
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