Many of the children stopped were with their parents

Special truancy patrols of police and education welfare officers took to shopping areas in the city centre to catch youngsters missing lessons.

Nearly 300 children were stopped by the patrols but many were off school with the consent of their parents.

And those behind the patrols say that this has become a major problem.

Parents are regularly taking children out of lessons for no other reason that as a treat, according to police and welfare officers.

Truanting children often congregate in shopping centres

A day out shopping for new shoes or clothes has become a regular excuse for the child being removed from class for the day.

Janet Lloyd, one of Cardiff's Education Welfare Officers said: "Parents don't seem to realise that taking their children out of school to go shopping is truanting.

"Going shopping is not a valid excuse for taking your child out of school."

Teams patrolling the city centre stopped dozens of children during their swoop on Wednesday.

Many had valid excuses such as being on study leave but the majority were simply out shopping with their parents.

And many of the parents saw no problem with taking their children out of lessons for the day.

One father who did not want to be named was stopped after the patrol spotted him shopping with his 14-year-old daughter.

"She never has a day off school and so as a one off it is ok," he said.

I can see that it is a good idea for the patrols to be searching for children who are skiving school but I really don't think they should stop the kids who are with their parents Tania Harrison, Parent

"We are out shopping for a birthday present for her mum and this is the only chance we have got to do it.

"I think these patrols are a great idea to get the proper truants off the streets and back to school, but I think they are targeting the wrong people.

"What is the point of stopping children who are with their parents?" he added.

And his view was supported by a number of other parents who were spending the day with their child.

Tania Harrison from the Rhondda Valleys was out with her daughter.

"I can see that it is a good idea for the patrols to be searching for children who are skiving school but I really don't think they should stop the kids who are with their parents," she said.

Children of school age were challenged by officers

The swoop on truancy by officers from South Wales Police, the British Transport Police and education welfare officers was part of Operation Arrowhead.

Teams made up of 18 police officers and 18 welfare officers took part in the exercise.

Pc Hilary Morse from South Wales Police coordinated the operation.

"This is all about highlighting the issue of truancy," she said.

"It is not acceptable for parents to take their children out of school to go shopping because they are going on holiday for example.

"There are only a few circumstances where it is acceptable to take the child out of school.

"But a lot of the children who have been stopped by the patrols today have been with their parents.

"So this is a reality check for parents to reinforce the message about reasons for taking the child out of school," she added.

The patrols were supported by many parents including Deborah Morgan

Deborah Morgan and Jeff Morgan were stopped by one of the patrols after her son Craig was seen out with them during school hours.

The 15-year-old from Aberdare had a valid excuse for being off school because of an orthodontist appointment.

"I think it is a fantastic idea to have these patrols," said Deborah Morgan.

"They should have more of them especially where we live.