Concern over paedophiles’ picture messaging mobile phones

SDLP assembly member Patricia Lewsley has expressed concerns that new mobile phone technology would allow paedophiles to take pictures of children and download them over the internet.

The Lagan Valley MLA said today that parents should be aware that there were reports in England of paedophiles bringing these phones into leisure centres to take pictures of children.

"There is a need for parents to be aware of the dangers that are out there. I would also appeal to staff that work in leisure centres and swimming pools to be vigilant," she said.

"It is appalling and frightening that we need to think about these issues but the reality is that we must all be aware of the dangers in order to protect our children."

The warning comes at the end of month when the danger of paedophiles on the internet has garnered mass media attention.

On January 6, the government launched a £1 million advertising campaign to encourage parents designed to make sure their children understand the dangers of communicating with strangers online and to address the issue of 'grooming' in internet chatrooms.

At the time, Home Office Minister Hilary Benn said: "We want to encourage parents to help their children protect themselves so they can surf safely. Parents can play a role in making their children aware that strangers on the Internet may not always be who they say they are. The messages to children are clear; do not give out personal contact details online, and never meet up with someone you have met online unless accompanied by an adult."

An investigation into child porn internet sites launched on December 17 has met with enormous success. Operation Ore, a nationwide initiative between state agencies and the FBI in the US, has unearthed details on 250,000 suspected paedophiles and the police admit they have been swamped with information.

One senior Metropolitan police officer said today that so far only 10% of the leads had been followed up and the investigation is expected to last for several months.

As part of Operation Ore The Who's Pete Townshend was arrested in London after he admitted to giving his credit card details to a child porn site. He was bailed on January 14.

(GMcG)