Weston-super-Mare truancy campaign launched

A campaign to cut truancy rates in Weston-super-Mare has been officially launched.

Police officers, PCSOs and North Somerset Council staff visited schools in the South ward area yesterday to highlight the start of Miss Out Mess Up. The campaign seeks to: raise attendance at school; lower rates of offending and anti-social behaviour; promote personal safety; and lower rates of teenage pregnancy and substance abuse.

Teams attended Bournville, Oldmixon, Walliscote and Windwhistle primaries, Wyvern Community School and Broadoak Mathematics and Computing College.

Youngsters were given goody bags, which contained details of the scheme with the aim of raising their expectations.

Posters are now being displayed in key areas and businesses are being encouraged to support the initiative by displaying stickers.

They have also been asked to refuse to serve school-age children between 8.45am and 3pm on school days.

Miss Out Mess Up is the brainchild of police community support officer Claire Sketchley and Paula Le-Milliere-Tinney.

Miss Sketchley said: "All the shops and businesses we have approached have been really enthusiastic about the scheme."

Miss Le-Milliere-Tinney, who works on the Behaviour Improvement Programme, said the campaign is aimed at making a positive difference.