Truants will be turned away from shops

Traders in the city are being invited to get involved in the police and education initiative to make the city centre a no-go area for truants.

More than 100 traders have agreed to support the truancy crackdown, which will involve them displaying stickers and refusing to serve children who have no explanation for being out of school.

Information will also be passed to education welfare officers, who will liaise with schools.

Education welfare officer Juliet Hammacott, said: "There isn't a huge truancy problem in Exeter.

"Our attendance figures for last year are up on the year before, but we want to continue that improvement."

The public are also being asked to get involved and contact the education welfare service if they suspect a child of playing truant.

They can be contacted on 01392 383903.