Many authorities link truancy with petty crime

In recent years improving attendance levels has been a high priority for the county council.

The total absence for county schools in the last academic year was 5.5% - the lowest in seven years and well below the national average of 6.57%.

Unauthorised absence - truancy - levels were also down at just 0.3%, compared with a national rate of 0.7%.

Education spokesman councillor Ivan Ould has welcomed the figures and said: "There is compelling evidence that young people who do not attend school miss out on the life chances that a good education can provide and they are also vulnerable to crime.

"As the figures show, the majority of parents in Leicestershire support schools in ensuring that their child attends regularly.