A POLICE officer today blasted parents who are prepared to lie for their children so they can take time off school.

Sergeant Mark Evans hit out as the results of the latest crackdown on truancy in Accrington revealed the problem was getting worse.

A second two-day operation in the town ended with 18 truants being plucked off the streets and returned to school.

Nearly 70 parents were also challenged as to why they were with their children in the town when the youngsters should have been at school.

The day before, 60 parents were challenged and eight youngsters were returned to school.

The overall figures were worse than those released following a similar two-day operation last October, when 105 youngsters with parents were stopped and 12 were found on their own.

Sgt Evans said today: "The figures are very disappointing because it appears we are only scratching the surface of a big problem.

"These figures are unacceptable but what is especially worrying is the fact so many parents appear happy to lie for their children and condone their absence."

The initiative was carried out in cooperation with education officers from Lancashire County Council and with the blessing of local headteachers.

Plans to repeat the operation have been brought forward. Sgt Evans added: "We want to get back out and repeat this as soon as possible.

"We can't afford to sit back on this. There obviously is a big problem here.

"Next time, we hope to do it borough wide so we can target all areas and establish just how bad the problem is.

"Last week's figures are a sad reflection on just how bad the problem is."

The operation has become possible since the introduction of section 16 of the Crime and Disorder Act, which gives the police the power to take truants to a place designated by the local education authority.

The scheme was first pioneered in Blackburn last summer when more than 150 truants were found on the streets in just one day.