Op Absence, a specialist task force, was out on patrol around Boston today as part of Operation Absence (Tuesday 7 May). They were patrolling the streets on the lookout for children not at school or an education setting.  The eagle-eyed team consisted of multi-agency representatives from Boston’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), Education Welfare Officers (EWOs) from four local schools, plus Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and Lincolnshire Police.  A number of home visits were also made to addresses of persistent absentees.

Above, Op Absence Taskforce

Sergeant David Robinson, who oversaw today’s operation, said: “Truancy from school impacts on young people’s education and future.  Whilst being absent without authorisation young people can be influenced in a negative way by peer groups.  There is often no appropriate adult oversight and their whereabouts are unknown.  Young people are at risk of being groomed into broader criminal activity as well as being persuaded to behave in an antisocial manner.  This in turn can have an impact on members of our community through making some of the more vulnerable people feel uncomfortable or even unsafe, rendering them reluctant to freely go about their daily business. We want people to feel safe living in, working in and visiting Boston.

“Work already completed suggests that having this close collaboration between multiple agencies can assist in putting in place interventions to avoid their behaviour escalating.”

PCSO Marie Williams, from Boston’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said, “The ultimate aim here is to keep young people safe.  Areas patrolled were targeted based on qualitative and quantitative information and/or intelligence showing areas of increased antisocial behaviour, criminality and areas believed to have a high level of gatherings by those truant from school. Home visits occur when proportionate, especially where casework has been ongoing and identifies a persistent absence, attendance is a cause for concern and /or there is a perceived risk to the child.”

The four local schools that joined the patrols on this occasion were:  Thomas Middlecot Academy, Giles Academy, Haven High Academy and Boston High School.

Above, officers speak to young person as part of Op Absence

Neil Williams, Vulnerability Intelligence Support Officer, also added, “Being absent from school is just one of several indicators used to recognise children who are considered as potentially vulnerable. Through Op Absence we are putting the stops in place to return unaccompanied children to a place of safety. These initiatives occasionally alert us to other safeguarding issues where we help members of our community navigate broader social challenges”.

Working as a team and creating these opportunities has enormous benefits, Marius Pasu, a Boston Community Ranger, said: “When we work together, we have a broader picture to be able to offer all the appropriate support to safeguard these young people most effectively. These initiatives help convey the message that we have the support of the Police and other partner agencies.  It helps young people to understand the importance of what we are trying to do.  There are also many learning opportunities to be had for all partner agencies. We look forward to doing more of it in the future.”

The powers

The powers used to return these young people to school falls under S16 (2) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Education Act 1996 (legislation that covers the requirement for children to receive an education suitable for their age, ability and aptitude in school or otherwise). The ‘otherwise’ covers Elective Home Education.

The impact truancy and low attendance has on young people not only as ‘pupils’, but also in terms of becoming rounded young people with their whole lives ahead of them.  In the short term truancy naturally has an impact on learning, but longer term it has the potential to impact on later life chances.

The debriefing confirmed close to 40 young people were engaged with today, the circumstances were documented, and the relevant processes will be followed through by the respective EWOs.  Plans are also in place to broaden the scope of the coverage in the coming weeks and months.