In two incidents, two 14-year-old girls were found loitering at the beachfront.
Image: Durban Metro Police/Facebook
THERE has been an increase in the number of pupils found loitering along the Durban beachfront during school hours, said Durban Metro Police in a statement on its Facebook page on Tuesday.
The said of particular concern was that more female pupils are being identified in these incidents.
In recent incidents:
- Last Friday, two 14-year-old girls were found on the beachfront and escorted back to their school by the Metro Police Dog Unit and beachfront members.
- On Tuesday morning at about 8.30am, another two 14-year-old girls were found loitering in the same area.
In both instances, girls "were safely returned to their respective schools and handed over to the school principals".
Metro police has appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s attendance and ensure they are at school during learning hours.
"Truancy not only disrupts education but also places young learners at risk of exposure to harmful environments and criminal elements."
They said they would continue to conduct regular patrols and interventions along the beachfront and other identified areas to ensure the safety and well-being of all pupils.
"Let us work together as a community to protect our children and keep them in school."