Members of the Island Special Constabulary Force with a group of students who were picked up while loitering on the streets in downtown Kingston during school hours yesterday. - norman grindley

The police were kept busy in downtown Kingston yesterday morning trying to round up students who were seemingly prepared to miss school for the day.

After more than an hour, the police held nine girls and a boy - dressed in uniform - from one high school, who were absconding.

Knives, ice picks and other weapons were seized by the cops, with one teenage girl charged with possession of offensive weapons.

Daily occurrence

"It is a daily occurrence for us. We find them loitering in sections of downtown Kingston, in the bathrooms of food establishments and in the arcade," Special Constable Salmon Stewart told The star as his team prepared to take the students to their school.

"When they see the police, they run and we have to chase them. We have to put them on buses, ensure that they paid their fares and when they get down the road, they come off and don't go to school," Stewart said.

He said one girl who was among those rounded up had a pair of skimpy shorts and a blouse in her bag, obviously prepared for a day out rather than going to classes.

Some of the students told The Star that they were headed to school and were waiting on buses, even though they were held by the police almost one hour after the school day started.