Shops told not to serve under 16s during the school day (From This is Hampshire)
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Shops told not to serve under 16s during the school day
2:08pm Monday 24th September 2012 in News
POLICE and Andover shopkeepers are working together to cut down on truancy.
Shops will display a poster which states that they will not serve anyone under the age of 16 on school days between the hours of 9am and 3pm, unless they are accompanied by an adult.
Pc Mark Poolman, of the Andover Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: “Now the new term is in full swing we are working with local retailers and partner agencies to put a stop to truancy.
“In the past, pupils truanting from school have been found to be frequenting town centres or shops and it's hoped that by working with local retailers, together we can reduce the problem.
“These posters are our first step to addressing this issue and in the near future we will be carrying out truancy sweeps with other partner agencies. “When pupils are caught truanting, they are returned to school and their parents are informed. We keep a record of those caught truanting and appropriate action taken against those who persist.
“We hope that by working with local businesses and schools we can help put a stop to this problem.”
