Sat-nav uniforms will help keep track of school truants

A major supplier is planning a range of uniforms equipped with a global positioning device to ensure pupils turn up safely to lessons.

It is investigating how to stitch tags into items of clothing such as blazers, ties or the waistbands of trousers.

Parents would log into a secure website to follow their child's movements as they travel to and from school.

The firm developing the products believes it could help allay parents' fears of their children being abducted or attacked.

But Trutex, a 130-year-old firm based in Clitheroe, Lancashire, also claims it could be used by schools to crack down on truancy.

Staff would use it to monitor children's whereabouts on the journey to school and during lunch times.

The firm says 59 per cent of parents polled for a survey would be interested in buying a schoolwear range fitted with a tracking device.

The idea also appealed to 38 per cent of nine to 12-yearolds, who said they felt safer if their parents knew exactly where they were.

However, many children aged over 13 were less enthusiastic, fearing it would mean that their parents could spy on them.

"As a direct result of this survey, we are now seriously considering incorporating a device into future ranges," said Clare Rix, Trutex marketing director.

"As well as being a safety net for parents, there could be real benefits for schools who could keep a closer track on the whereabouts of their pupils."

The tracker system would use the same global positioning satellite as car satellite navigation.

Product developers are currently considering whether the devices could be washable and how securely they could be implanted into uniforms.