Monday November 20, 2006
CEOP appeal gets results within 24 hours
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre has seen its first result since the launch of it’s dedicated "Most Wanted" website at www.ceop.gov.uk/wanted. Gordon Stewart, aged 29 handed himself in to police in Aberdeenshire on the evening of Friday 17th November 2006. He has since been arrested and is due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff’s Court today (Monday) for outstanding matters.
Jim Gamble, CEO of the CEOP Centre said:
This arrest proves that we can turn the power of technology against those who abuse the internet to target children. Since the site’s launch on Friday we received a phenomenal response - over 8 million hits in the first 24 hours and we have already seen our first arrest - this sends out a clear message to any perpetrators who think they can escape the police.
We appeal to the others featured on the site to come forward and give themselves up.
Since Friday 17th November, details of some of the UK’s "Most Wanted" offenders are being posted on the dedicated website - this is the first time such a move has been undertaken on a nationwide scale. The new initiative reflects the continued determination of law enforcement partners to work together to ensure that every available step is taken to manage offenders within communities.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre was launched on Monday 24 April 2006. CEOP is the UK’s first fully co-ordinated and dedicated response bringing together law enforcement with specialists from children’s charities and the IT industry for the first time.
For further information about the CEOP Centre visit www.ceop.gov.uk or follow the link from www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com or contact the CEOP press office on 0870 000 3434.
The initiative to publish details of some of the UK’s child sex offenders forms a key element of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre’s approach to tracking and bringing child sex offenders to account. All individuals published on the site have previously been convicted for an offence for which they have already served punishment within the criminal justice system. They are sought because they have subsequently failed to fulfil their requirements as part of their placement on the Sex Offenders Register.
Details of previous offences will not be disclosed to the media for the reasons stated above.
Photographs of offenders will only be published with the consent of the local police force. Individual forces are under no obligation to publish their offenders on the Most Wanted site. Further offenders will be considered for inclusion on the ‘Most Wanted’ site in consultation with local police forces.
The decision to publish the details of all offenders detailed on the site has been risk assessed by the CEOP Centre and relevant local forces.
The CEOP Centre works in both online and offline environments to protect children from sexual exploitation. Full information on all areas of work as well as online safety messages and access to online reporting can be found at www.ceop.gov.uk.
The organisation is affiliated to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and powers are derived from the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. It is based in Pimlico, London with developing outreach channels to all areas of both domestic and international policing as well as industry and specialist support and educational faculties.
For further information:
Geraldine McGrory
Clive Michel 07899 064333