Bunking off school does not seem to be much of an offence for many children who do it regularly or for their parents who tolerate or even encourage it.

But there is a clear link in the UK between truancy and minor crime, which can lead to serious offences.

Police and the education authorities in Brighton and Hove are cracking down on truancy with some success.

At schools such as Falmer High and East Brighton College of Media Arts, serious efforts are made daily to bring the stragglers back into class.

In serious cases, parents can be fined for their first offence of allowing children to play truant. If they reoffend, they can even be sent to prison.

It may, at first sight, seem hard on the parents. But they are responsible for their children and getting the youngsters back to school may save them from a lifetime of crime and decline.