A PROMINENT police presence in Leigh town centre had shoppers baffled this week. Numerous times I was asked if I knew what was happening and I did -- truancy sweeps to catch kids bunking off classes in Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Golborne and Hindley (as we report on the front page today).

School age children in public places during school hours, whether alone or with friends or parents, are being stopped and questioned by police and welfare officers as to why they aren't at school -- and taking appropriate action.

The borough's director of education, Bob Clark, says children still see 'playing wag' as fun and sadly many parents condone it . . . which is obvious from the number of accompanied youngsters you can see about town during school hours.

Parents should note that the government plan to introduce a penalty of up to £2,500 for each offence or three months in prison.

That surely should be enough to make parents make sure their offspring are safely delivered through the school gates -- and to keep absent pupils from loitering around shopping areas.