Posted September 10, 200816 yr Park attendants ordered to interrogate adults spotted without children By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 11:42 AM on 10th September 2008 Source: dailymail.co.uk Park wardens have been ordered to stop and interrogate anyone who is not accompanied by children. The visitors who are quizzed have to explain their presence and risk being thrown out or reported to police if their answers are not satisfactory. The policy has been introduced at Telford Town Park in Shropshire. The council which manages the 420-acre area says it is a 'commonsense approach' aimed at safeguarding children. But park users accused it of 'authoritarian madness' and said the ruling risked panicking parents about the dangers faced from potential paedophiles. The policy came to light after two environmental campaigners dressed as penguins were thrown out of the park last month when caught handing out leaflets on climate change. Telford and Wrekin Council said Rachel Whittaker and Neil Donaldson were ejected because they had not undergone Criminal Records Bureau checks or risk assessments before entering the park - a requirement under the Child Protection Act. David Ottley, recreation manager at the Tory-run council, said in a letter to a member of the public over that issue: 'Our town park staff approach adults that are not associated with any children in the park and request the reason for them being there. 'In particular, this applies to those areas where children or more vulnerable groups gather.' Miss Whittaker, 34, from Wellington, near Telford, said the policy carried a 'dangerous implication that if you have a child with you than everything is OK and you won't be questioned'. Former childcare social worker John Evans said: 'It is authoritarian madness which can only be based on ignorance. It is absurd, it is insulting and it is dangerous as it panics people about the dangers their children face.' A council spokesman insisted that only those 'acting suspiciously' would be stopped and questioned.
September 10, 200816 yr Absolutely ridiculous :manson: The absolute vast majority of child abuse that takes place in this country happens in the HOME by a relative, usually a parent of an uncle, or a family friend, there is many many times more chance of the child in the park being abused by the very person (family member) taking them to the park than there is a stranger What the f*** is it going to be next ? they going to ban adults from beaches ? surely a kid in a swimming costume is going to be a lot more of a target than one in a park ? Police state gone mad
September 10, 200816 yr Something tells me the headline would have been different if it was a Labour council. You need to read several paragraphs before there's a brief mention of the fact that it is a Tory council.
September 10, 200816 yr A park or a play area with swings etc? If they're actually acting suspicious then use your instinct, if not, then don't :rolleyes:
September 10, 200816 yr paedogedden innit... brass eye got this hysteria spot on years ago. what are they gonna do next? dress kiddies up as muslims so no possible perv could get a cheap thrill over seeing kids?
September 10, 200816 yr paedogedden innit... brass eye got this hysteria spot on years ago. Oh I'm so glad you mentioned Brass Eye Rob ... good opportunity to give it an airing ... UcnQDYnGtS8 Norma
September 11, 200816 yr That's ridiculous. Whatever happened to being able to trust people? Guess that went down the toilet a while back. <_<
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