DOZENS of schoolchildren were found on the streets of Beverley in lesson time during a week-long truancy sweep in the town.

The joint operation by East Riding Council's education welfare officers and Humberside Police resulted in 62 children being stopped on the streets.

Half were out of school without permission and were taken back to class.

Of the rest, 19 were out with relatives, including 13 who were from other local authority areas.

Only 12 of the 62 children stopped had authorised absence passes.

Education welfare officials are now warning there will be further truancy sweeps and other attendance initiatives across the East Riding.

East Riding principal education welfare officer Sam Towse said: "School attendance is closely linked to school achievement, the more time children are in school the better they will do.

"Obviously there is also the safety aspect. Children need to be in school during the school day to stay safe, if they are playing truant their parents and their school don't know where they are."

Beverley's senior police officer Inspector Mark Coulthard deployed police community service officers to transport truants back to town schools.

He said: "Children should be at school during the day and if they are not at school they make themselves vulnerable, or they could be committing crimes or causing other problems in the neighbourhood.

"School is a place of safety, it's where they are meant to be. We have taken the children back to school and the council will speak to the parents."

In cases where unauthorised absence is proved, the parents will incur a £50 penalty notice.

Other local authorities will also be alerted about children from their areas stopped in the sweep.