Monday November 27, 2006
The Net is closing on child sex offenders
UK's dedicated centre for tackling child sex abuse welcomes steps by Ireland to join up tracking of offenders
Monday 27 November. A new memorandum of understanding signed today to ensure that intelligence about sex offenders thinking they can escape jurisdiction by crossing the border between north and southern Ireland has been welcomed by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre.
Today’s agreement – the first of its kind in the world – means that police on both sides of the Irish border will share information on all registered sex offenders who plan to travel between the two countries.
Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of the CEOP Centre highlighted the importance of this significant development.
Child sex abuse is a truly global crime and we must do all we can to lower the flags of nations in order to ensure that offenders are brought to account. The agreement today typifies that stance. From now on Ireland is in essence acting as one in tackling this horrific crime.
Already we have seen key developments such as the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) where agencies such as the CEOP Centre representing the UK have joined with partners in the US, Australia, Canada and Interpol to act together. This step is a major development that mirrors that collaboration.
Now we invite Ireland’s police to use this agreement as a stepping stone to their membership of the VGT. After all what is clear from today, no one force can tackle this crime in isolation.
For real success we need to work together in close collaborative partnership – across borders, across jurisdictions – to deliver not only national but international responses that will track offenders no matter where they might try and hide.
Our message to the offender is simple. Your chances of escaping the clutches of police are diminishing. Our message to all forces is just as straight forward. Join with us in hitting this crime wherever and whenever possible.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The CEOP Centre works in both online and offline environments and 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.
- Details of some of the UK’s "Most Wanted" child sex offenders who have failed to comply with notification requirements are now being posted on a dedicated website at www.ceop.gov.uk/wanted. Some of these offenders may have fled abroad using a new identity.
- The CEOP Centre 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.
- Jim Gamble is the first CEO of the CEOP Centre and brings over 25 years in UK policing - from leading the fight against terrorism as the head of the Northern Ireland anti-terrorist intelligence unit to most recently tackling organised crime as the Deputy Director of the National Crime Squad. During his time in Northern Ireland he covered both uniform and detective roles in a rapidly changing and often volatile environment before leading anti-terrorist responses in both the UK and abroad. With the National Crime Squad he oversaw a complex and highly intricate portfolio ranging from firearm deployment to hi-tech crime and overall intelligence, professional standards and security as a central figure in the UK’s fight against organised crime.
- Jim's specialist achievements have most recently centred on the fight against child sex abuse. He led the work to set up the National Crime Squad’s specialist response cell - the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) - and was instrumental in forming the first international law enforcement partnership to combat child abuse online - the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT).
For further information:
Clive Michel, Head of Communications and Public Affairs
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
07899 064 333