Originally Posted by Shropshirestar

Park pervert patrol shock

Council staff on the lookout for paedophiles have been ordered to stop and quiz any adults found walking in Telford Town Park without a child, it was revealed today.

Anyone who wants to go to the park but is not accompanied by at least one youngster will have to explain why they are there.
Telford campaigners battling to retain full public access to the park today branded the policy “draconian” and “authoritarian madness” but the council defended the policy, claiming it had a responsibility to “protect the vulnerable”.

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 & Wrekin Council said Rachel Whittaker and Neil Donaldson of the Wrekin Stop War pressure group were ejected because they had not undergone Criminal Records Bureau checks or risk assessments before entering the park.

David Ottley, Telford & Wrekin’s sports and recreation manager, said in a letter seen by the Shropshire Star: “Our Town Park staff approach adults that are not associated with any children in the Town Park and request the reason for them being there.

“In particular, this applies to those areas where children or more vulnerable groups gather, such as play facilities and the entrances to play areas. This is a child safety precautionary measure which members of staff will continue to undertake as and when necessary.”

Former childcare social worker John Evans said: “It is authoritarian madness which can only be based on ignorance. “It appears that the council wants to use child protection as a cover for anything they don’t like taking place in the park, like the campaign against global warming by those two people who were handing out leaflets.

“It is absurd, it is insulting and what’s more it is dangerous as it panics people about the dangers their children face.”

Rob Breeze, who has campaigned to retain free public access to the park, said he was aware of an incident in which people on a charity bike ride through the park in aid of Severn Hospice were told to dismount by park staff.
Mr Breeze, of Stirchley, said: “People seem to be coming up with ever more draconian and unsupported rules and regulations about use of the park.”
The Shropshire Star today put the policy to the test when we sent a male reporter to the park. It took just 30 minutes for him to be asked what he was doing by an official as he stood near Sp- out House and the children’s play area.

Councillor Denis Allen, cabinet member for community services, said: “Our staff are asked to approach adults without children in areas where children gather such as play areas, using their own judgement and discretion.
“To suggest that adults in the other areas of the park without children would be routinely approached is simply not correct. Having systems and procedures to protect the vulnerable, may be unacceptable to some people but we have a duty of care to children and we take our duties very seriously.
“As landowner of the park, we have child protection responsibilities andÊaÊduty of care. Anyone approached would be treatedÊsensitively, and in a fair and even-handed manner. If required, the police or child protection services would be informed and the appropriate course of action taken.”

Originally Posted by Charismatic (Post 6763452)

A few points:

• It's the adults with children you need to be worried about!
• They aren’t going to do anything in public, it’s the ones walking in the woods with children you need to worry about.
• Great work for a peado, nice little uniform and the chance to hang around in parks all day, make friends, drive away competition etc.
• Any one asked is just going to tell them to ***** off...or quote the data protection act if they are feel like being nice.
• I’m picking they’ll get slapped an average of once every time they quiz someone, people who aren’t don’t usually take well to being asked!

Originally Posted by jvr20 (Post 6764460)

that's a very oldskool avatar, Deanie... who is it? Mrs Pankhurst? Elizabeth Fry?

Originally Posted by jvr20 (Post 6764460)

that's a very oldskool avatar, Deanie... who is it? Mrs Pankhurst? Elizabeth Fry?

Originally Posted by The Dean (Post 6764728)

Anita Page, one of the very last silent movie stars.

She's died, 98.

Originally Posted by Shadya (Post 6765143)

Any unaccompanied male walking through a park or along a beach in Dubai should be photographed, fingerprinted and taken to the Police for questioning.:huh:

Originally Posted by MataHari (Post 6765286)

why...

Originally Posted by MataHari (Post 6765286)

why...

Originally Posted by Shadya (Post 6765766)

Because...