25/09/2007

Art Exhibit Seized In Child Porn Probe

Police are examining an art exhibit seized from a Tyneside art gallery amid fears that it breaches child pornography laws.

The artwork, which is believed to be an image of a child, was seized by Northumbria Police from the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead last Thursday, before it was due to go on display.

The image is now being examined by police and the Crown Prosecution Service to determine whether it is legal.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "We attended the Baltic last Thursday at the invitation of management who were seeking advice about an item from an exhibition prior to it going on public display.

"This item is being assessed and Northumbria Police in consultation with the GPS is investigating the circumstances surrounding it."

The artist's name has not been released, but the gallery's web site has five exhibitions listed as due to open last Friday.

The £46 million Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art has attracted £2.5 million visitors since it opened in 2002.

(KMcA)


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