By Amy Taylor, Nicola Barry and Alex Dobson.
1,200 arrested in British paedophile raids
Over 1,200 teachers, doctors, care workers and policemen have been arrested across the United Kingdom in raids against paedophiles who had been users of an American internet service.
Forty children have been taken into care because they have been abused or they might be at risk from parents or professional workers.
Fifty police have been arrested during raids. Eight of these have been charged and the others are on bail.
Source:- The Times Wednesday 18 December page 3
Couple grew wealthy on worldwide web of filth
When postal investigators in America raided the home of a rich suburban couple they found out the credit card numbers of 300,000 paedophiles around the world.
Thomas and Janice Reedy ran a $1.4 million-a-month business, with offices in Fort Worth, Texas, supplying the international demand for paedophilic images.
Reedy was sentenced to 1,335-year prison sentence for 89 charges including sexual exploitation of minors, distribution of child pornography and conspiracy. Mrs Reedy was given 14 years.
Source:- The Times Wednesday 18 December page 3
Woman, 84, killed by muggers for £13
An 84-year-old woman was murdered by muggers for just £13 police said yesterday.
Catherine Wrenn of Hackney, East London, was found by neighbours collapsed on her doorstep with head injuries.
Source:- The Times Wednesday 18 December page 8
Nativity pictures ban dropped by council
Edinburgh council has lifted its ban on allowing parents to video and photograph their child's nativity plays and carol concerts after being threatened with legal action.
The change of heart came last night in an emergency meeting between council lawyers and the ruling Labour group over a solicitor's letter from a parent threatening to take the council to court.
The council has suspended the guidelines until January when they will be reviewed.
Source:- The Times Wednesday 18 December page 9
Can the cardinal shake off his tormentors?
The prelate's naivety and principles have cost him dear in the febrile hunt for child abuse suspects.
Source:- The Daily Telegraph Wednesday 18 December page 8
Media accused of witchhunt over paedophile priest
Many in the Catholic Church believe Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Conor is the target of a media witchhunt.
His apologies have failed to satisfy critics led by BBC Radio 4's Today programme, BBC2's Newsnight, and The Times.
Source:- The Daily Telegraph Wednesday 18 December page 8
Drive to attract poor students 'failing'
The government's efforts to persuade thousands of youngsters from deprived homes to go to university is failing according to official statistics published today.
Figures produced by the Higher Education Funding Council show that the percentage of students who are recruited from areas with a history of low participation in higher education and from working class homes generally hasn't changed, despite millions of pounds being pumped into a campaign to try and change this.
Source:- The Independent Wednesday 18 December page 1
Gallery director questioned over photo exhibit
An art gallery was in the middle of a child pornography inquiry yesterday after putting a picture of a naked 12-year-old girl on display.
The picture, by the renowned Swiss artist Annelies Strba - showing her daughter Sonja in the bath - is hanging in the Rhodes+Mann gallery in Shoreditch, East London.
Scotland Yard said that gallery director Fred Mann faced possible criminal charges under the Obscene Publications Act.
Source:- The Independent Wednesday 18 December page 5
Guardian Society
Presents imperfect
It sounded like a great idea - British school pupils sending Christmas boxes to children in poorer lands. But Patrick McCurry uncovers aspects of the operation that have shocked head teachers
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 18 December page 2
The skills gap
Talents of refugee women being ignored
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 18 December page 4
Pensioned off
Islington council accused of 'screwing the voluntary sector'
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 18 December page 4
Confidence shaken
Small charities' fear over proposed deregulation
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 18 December page 4
Everyone's a winner
Christopher Middleton discovers alternative board games without a ruthless streak
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 18 December page 5
Home Fry
It's hard to imagine key workers going on strike during wartime. But a new TV documentary reveals the bitter conflicts that flared in Britain during the First World War.
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 18 December page 6
Parting shots
Should community uses be found for redundant military based, barracks and bunkers?
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 18 December page 10
In loving memory
Profile: Virginia Low, supporting mentally ill people
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 18 December page 11
Frontline
Voice of hope
A call centre with a difference has thrown a lifeline to an area hit by industrial decline
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 18 December page 12
Social care
Sarah's choice
Mike George on the slow take-up of a funding scheme that helps people with mental health troubles to help themselves
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 18 December page 40
Scottish newspapers
Council lifts ban on school pictures
Edinburgh council was forced into a humiliating climbdown yesterday in the face of opposition to the ban on parents taking photographs and video films of school nativity plays.
The controversial guidelines, drawn up in an attempt to prevent paedophiles from getting access to images from school events, were effectively ditched at an emergency council meeting.
Source:- The Scotsman Wednesday 18 December page 1
Paedophile jailed for life after claiming to be expert
A paedophile who boasted of being an expert in abusing children was jailed for life yesterday.
Maurice Crossley groomed victims by befriending women so they trusted him with their sons. Crossley of Glasgow admitted indecency charges against two boys, aged 11 and seven.
Source:- The Scotsman Wednesday 18 December page 4
Ban on prostitute tolerance zones could increase violent crime, say police
Senior police warned yesterday that violent crime could increase if MSPs refused to back a bill creating prostitute tolerance zones.
Lothian and Borders and Grampian police said the sex industry would be "driven underground" - attracting criminals, pimps and drug dealers.
The proposed legislation would give councils powers to set up areas where the legal duty to prevent soliciting in public places would be suspended.
Source:- The Herald Wednesday 18 December page 7
Kirk sets deadline for home to close
The Church of Scotland has begun the deregulation process leading to the closure of one of its care homes, despite the fact that it is still occupied by 10 frail and elderly residents.
The move follows a bitter dispute between the Church of Scotland, which says it can no longer afford to run Leslie House in Glenrothes, Fife, and the residents’ families who maintain the home offered the residents a home for life.
Source:- The Herald Wednesday 18 December page 6
HIV tests for city’s expectant mothers
Expectant mothers in Glasgow are to be routinely screened for HIV to stop the infection spreading to newborn babies.
Every mother-to-be will be given the test unless they opt out so doctors can reduce the risk of their child contracting the AIDS virus.
The proportion of fresh cases in the city caught through heterosexual sex rose from less than a third to more than half last year.
Source:- The Herald Wednesday 18 December page 2
How child protection zealotry is helping to demonise all men
When my sisters and I were small, we were taken to and from school by a handyman who had a motorbike. One of us hitched up our school skirt and sat behind him, while the others bundled inside.
Source:- Daily Mail Wednesday 18 December page 10
Welsh newspapers
Battle to cope with childcare costs
Torfaen council in south Wales is struggling to meet the rising demand for the social services it provides to children.
A new report says that the biggest costs are those for ‘looked after children’ and some placements are costing the council up to £200,000 a year.
The report also highlights the falling number of experienced foster carers, and the difficulties of staff recruitment within the department.
Source:- South Wales Argus Tuesday 17 December page 17
Teenage mothers cook up healthy option
Teenage mothers from some of the most socially deprived valleys of Wales have been selected as role models in a national healthy eating project.
The young women are leading the way in a pilot project from the Food Standards Agency, which aims to introduce basic culinary skills over a six-week period.
The young mothers attend the Books and Babies educational project run by Barnardo’s in Llwynypia, Rhondda.
Source:- Western Mail Wednesday 18 December page 9
