A CRACKDOWN on kids "bunking off" has been launched in one area of Accrington after police revealed that there was "a truant in every street."

The truancy has caused a sharp rise in petty crime in the Woodnook area, with problems of anti-social behaviour and vandalism in particular.

The police have now teamed up with schools, the council, social services and education welfare in a bid to tackle the problem. They will be meeting next week to discuss the issue.

PC Clare Wall said: "There is at least one child on every single street in Woodnook that regularly plays truant. That is the level of problem that we are dealing with.

"It is the older ones who are committing the crimes, they are gathering in groups and intimidating residents.

"There are problems with graffiti, vandalism, drinking and drug taking."

She said that the authorities were facing the problem of families who have "no interest" in sending their children to school and on any given day there can be up to 20 children out on the streets when they should be at school.

PC Wall added: "Over the past 12 months we have been inundated with complaints from residents.

"There are children from five to 15 in the area who are drinking and causing problems.

"They are quite clearly not going to school.

"My view is that if they are in school, they are learning and keeping out of trouble."

She added: "Truancy is a massive priority for police in Woodnook because if we can tackle this problem then we may reduce problems elsewhere. We need to work together and make it right."

She said that at this stage the aim of the police was not to punish parents of truants but to get the children back into school.

Stephen Bibby, headteacher at Woodnook Primary School said: "There are a number of children whose families don't seem to value education and they seem to find it difficult to get their children into school.

"I am pleased that there are meetings to take place because in my eyes something ought to be done.

"Children should be in school, simple as that."

Woodnook councillor Paul Barton said: "Residents are absolutely terrified, these kids are getting into big groups and are basically trashing the place.

"Enough is enough and something needs to be done."