Tag: Crime

Online Safety Bill amendment: No hiding place for child sex offenders

Greater powers to tackle child sexual abuse online will be introduced through an amendment to the Online Safety Bill, the Home Secretary announced yesterday (Wednesday 6 July 2022).

The amendment will give Ofcom extra tools to ensure technology companies take action to prevent, identify and remove harmful child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) content.

Ofcom, the UK’s regulatory authority for telecommunications, will be able to demand that technology companies such as social media platforms roll out or develop new technologies to better detect and tackle harmful content on their platforms. If they fail to do so, Ofcom will be able to impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of the company’s global annual turnover, depending on which is higher.

Home Secretary, Priti Patel said: “Child sexual abuse is a sickening crime. We must all work to ensure criminals are not allowed to run rampant online and technology companies must play their part and take responsibility for keeping our children safe.

“Privacy and security are not mutually exclusive – we need both, and we can have both and that is what this amendment delivers.”

The National Crime Agency estimate there are between 550,000 to 850,000 people in the UK who pose a sexual risk to children. In the year to 2021, there were 33,974 obscene publications offences recorded by the police, and although some improvements have been made, it is still too easy for offenders to access harmful content online.

Access to such content online can lead to offenders normalising their own consumption of this content, sharing methods with each other on how to evade detection, and escalation to committing contact child sexual abuse offences.

Digital Minister, Nadine Dorries said: “Tech firms have a responsibility not to provide safe spaces for horrendous images of child abuse to be shared online. Nor should they blind themselves to these awful crimes happening on their sites.

Rob Jones, NCA Director General for child sexual abuse, said: “Technology plays an extremely important part in our daily lives and its benefits are undeniable.

“But it is also a fact that online platforms can be a key tool in a child abuser’s arsenal. They use them to view and share abuse material, seek out and groom potential victims, and to discuss their offending with each other.

“Identifying these individuals online is crucial to us uncovering the real-world abuse of children.

“We are taking significant action in this space and, alongside UK policing, we are making record numbers of arrests and safeguards every month.

“While this will always be a priority, we need tech companies to be there on the front line with us and these new measures will ensure that.”

Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive, said: “We need urgent action to protect children from preventable online abuse. Our latest analysis shows online grooming crimes have jumped by more than 80% in four years.

“The Online Safety Bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure children can explore the online world safely.

“This amendment will strengthen protections around private messaging and ensure companies have a responsibility to build products with child safety in mind. This positive step shows there doesn’t have to be a trade-off between privacy and detecting and disrupting child abuse material and grooming.”

The amendment will support innovation and the development of safety technologies across the technology industry and will incentivise companies in building solutions to tackle CSEA which are effective and proportionate.

The government-funded Safety Tech Challenge Fund is demonstrating that is it is possible to detect child sexual abuse material in end-to-end encrypted environments, while respecting user privacy.

You can also read the Home Secretary’s op-ed for the The Telegraph.

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NSPCC warns of worrying levels of online child abuse as grooming crimes in Scotland continue to rise

Figures obtained by the NSPCC reveal online grooming crimes recorded by Police Scotland reach almost 3,000 in five years, with offences against under 13s rising by more than 60%.

Analysis of Freedom of Information data from Police Scotland shows that in 2021/22 there were 636 offences of Communicating Indecently with a Child, compared with 429 in 2017/18 – a 48% rise. For victims under the age of 13, there was a steeper rise with 369 in 2021/22 and 226 in 2017/18.

Data* from 41 UK police forces across the UK show an 84% rise in these crimes since 2017/18, with a total of more than 27,000 offences in the past five years.

The NSPCC says the sheer scale of offending shows the vital importance of ensuring that the Online Safety Bill effectively tackles child sexual abuse and has practical suggestions for how this is best done.

This should include giving the regulator, Ofcom, the powers to proactively tackle abuse in private messaging, making platforms work together to stop grooming pathways and stopping offenders from using social networks to organise abuse.

One 15-year-old girl who was groomed on multiple sites told Childline: “I’ve been chatting with this guy online who’s like twice my age. This all started on Instagram but lately all our chats have been on WhatsApp.

“He seemed really nice to begin with, but then he started making me do these things to ‘prove my trust’ to him, like doing video chats with my chest exposed. Every time I did these things for him, he would ask for more and I felt like it was too late to back out.

“This whole thing has been slowly destroying me and I’ve been having thoughts of hurting myself.”

Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive, said: “Online grooming is taking place at unprecedented levels and only concerted action will turn the tide on this tsunami of preventable abuse.

“The crucial Online Safety Bill is the opportunity to deliver the legislative change we urgently need to address head on these preventable crimes against children.

“We strongly welcome the Government’s ambition to deliver world-leading legislation. But as it seems increasingly clear that the pandemic has resulted in a long-term increase in the abuse threat, the current proposals must go further now to tackle online sexual violence and prevent avoidable abuse.”

The charity is asking the public to email their MP to support amendments to the legislation that aim to improve its response to child sexual abuse.

The NSPCC has set out a five-point action plan for the Online Safety Bill to systemically prevent avoidable child sexual abuse.

Polling shows widespread public support for the measures to be adopted so the legislation achieves its ambition of giving children receive a higher standard of protection online.

  1. Give the regulator powers to proactively tackle abuse in private messaging

Two thirds of child abuse is currently found in private messaging so the NSPCC welcomes that it will be in scope of the Bill.

But the charity wants Ofcom to be given power to proactively require firms to use technology to detect and disrupt grooming and the sharing of child abuse images.

  1. Make platforms work together to tackle grooming pathways

The NSPCC knows grooming doesn’t just happen on one site and offenders use well known grooming pathways to target children.

Companies should have a clear legal duty to address cross platform harm and legally co-operate with each other to disrupt grooming.

  1. Stop offenders from using social networks to organise abuse – breadcrumbing

Offenders perfectly legally use social media to form networks, then advertise a sexual interest in children and signpost to illegal child abuse content hosted on third party sites.

The NSPCC wants the Bill amended to combat the waysoffenders facilitate abuse on social media, which it says could prevent millions of interactions with accounts that contribute to grooming.

  1. Adopt a Violence Against Women and Girls Code of Practice

The Government should commit to a statutory code of practice on violence against women and girls to ensure the Online Safety Bill has a systemic  and enforceable focus on online sexual violence.

  1. A children’s watchdog that represents children’s needs

Children make up one in five UK internet users but are inherently vulnerable, according to the NSPCC. The charity said the Online Safety Bill can achieve its ambition to give children a higher standard of protection by creating a statutory watchdog to promote children’s interests, funded by a levy on the tech industry.

This user advocacy body would ensure child protection is front and centre of regulation, prevent harm by acting as an early warning system to flag emerging risks and call for swift action. This would be similar to the role played by Citizens Advice in the energy and postal sectors.

CCTV appeal following Meuse Lane assault: do you know these men?

Police Scotland has released images of four men they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to a serious assault which left a 20-year-old man unconscious, at Meuse Lane, Edinburgh, around 10.10pm on Saturday, 11 December, 2021.

The first man in the images is described as white, in his mid-40’s, around 5ft 8ins, with short dark hair and of medium build. He was wearing a navy blazer.

The second man is described as white, in his mid-40’s, around 6ft, bald, and of medium build. He was wearing a dark jacket.

The third man is described as white, in his mid-40’s, around 5ft 7ins, bald and of medium build. He was wearing a dark jacket with a blue top underneath.

The fourth man is described white, in his mid-40’s, around 5ft 10ins, and of medium build. He was wearing a dark beanie hat, a dark jacket and blue jeans.

Detective Constable Christopher Docherty of Edinburgh CID, said: “I would urge the men depicted in these images, or anyone who has information relating to them, to make contact with the police.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact CID via 101, quoting incident number 3747 of Saturday, 11 December, 2021. Alternatively, call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed on anonymously.”

Police appeal for information after motorcycle fails to stop for officers

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a motorcycle failed to stop for officers on Sunday (26 June, 2022).

Around 12am, officers saw the vehicle, which was later identified as a stolen orange KTM motorcycle, being driven at speed along Leamington Terrace.

The motorcycle was signalled to stop by officers but was driven off down Gilmore Place, towards Viewforth.

The motorcycle was then driven along Dundee Street and towards Fountain Park, in the Fountainbridge area, down Drysdale Road and onto the West Approach Road. It was last seen in the Gorgie Road area.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace the driver, passenger and the vehicle. No one was injured during the incident.

The motorcycle’s driver and passenger are both described as wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.

The motorcycle had earlier been reported stolen from Spittal Street, between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Monday 20 June 2022.

Detective Sergeant Ross Dunn, of Drylaw Police Station, said: “Our enquiries to trace the driver and vehicle are ongoing.

“We believe the area would have been quite busy with members of the public and are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to get in touch.

“If you were in the area at the time, please think back and get in touch with us if you have any information which may be able to assist our investigation.

“From our CCTV enquiries, we believe a woman may have filmed the incident in the Fountainbridge area. I am particularly keen to speak with her and would ask her to contact officers as soon as possible.

“I would also ask anyone with dash-cam footage to come forward, you may have captured something which could assist us in our enquiries.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 0008 of Sunday, 26 June, 2022.

Police appeal after woman injured in Ocean Terminal incident

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 30-year-old woman was injured at Ocean Terminal Edinburgh at the weekend.

The incident happened around 5.30pm on Saturday (25 June, 2022) when the woman was struck by a shopping trolley which had been thrown from a higher level of the Red Car Park at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre by a group of youths.

The trolley struck the 30-year-old woman causing minor injury, she did not require hospital treatment but was left extremely shaken by the incident.

Several members of the public came to the aid of the victim and we are asking for them, any other witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to make contact with police on 101 quoting incident number 3433 of Sunday 26 June 2022.

Alternatively, anyone with any information can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org

Man convicted of embezzlement

Gordon Couch (57), was yesterday found guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court of Embezzlement after a three-week long trial.

Mr Couch has been convicted of embezzling £170,000 of funds from Marjorie Stewart, from Edinburgh, both prior to and after her death in September 2013 when he was acting as her Independent Financial Advisor, was her Power of Attorney and the Executor of her Will which afforded him trusted access to funds.

An investigation was launched in 2016 after Mrs Stewart’s family raised concerns about Mr Couch’s conduct including the misappropriation of funds.

Mr Couch had by this time moved to Hong Kong and officers began efforts to secure his return to the UK to face charges. He was finally arrested in 2019 after returning to the UK.

Detective Sergeant Craig Potter said: “This was a complex case covering a large number of years where the power and control afforded to one person was able to be abused.

“Marjorie Stewart’s family were key to uncovering the misappropriation and have shown exemplary conduct throughout the long wait for the case to come to court. Hopefully all the witnesses are afforded some closure by today’s verdict.”

Should you have criminal concerns with regard to Power of Attorney or financial issues, police should be contacted.

If you have concerns about anyone carrying out any of the roles for someone else then advice can always be sought from the relevant regulatory body:

Independent Financial Advisors – Financial Conduct Authority

Power of Attorney – Office of the Public Guardian

Executors – Law Society of Scotland

Trinity incident: CCTV images released

Police are continuing to investigate an assault with intent to rob in the Trinity area. The incident took place at around 7.30pm on Sunday, 2 January, 2022 near the junction of South Trinity Road with Ferry Road.

A 13-year-old boy was walking with a friend on South Trinity Road when he was subjected to an attack.

As part of their investigations, officers are eager to trace the males shown in CCTV images who they believe may be able to assist with the investigation.

The males in the images are described as being in their mid-to-late teens and wearing dark coloured jogging bottoms and hooded tops or tracksuits.

In particular, officers are keen to speak to one of the males who is shown wearing a distinctive pink headband or hood. He is described as being aged 14 to 16 years old, Asian and about 5ft tall.

Officers would ask that any members of the public who recognise the males in the images or have any other information to contact them at the earliest opportunity.

Detective Constable William Doughty of Corstorphine CID said: “This incident left the victim understandably shaken and we are asking for the help of the public to identify those shown in the images as we believe that they may be able to assist with our enquiries.

“Anyone with information that can help our investigation, or who recognises anyone in the images, is urged to contact us or Crimestoppers as soon as possible.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2640 of 2nd January 2022, or report this anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Easter Road hit and run: man arrested

A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a hit and run incident in Edinburgh.

The incident, which involved a car and a pedestrian happened at around 2.40am yesterday (Sunday, 19 June) in Easter Road.

The 21-year old male pedestrian was taken to The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment for serious injuries.

Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg said : “A young man sustained serious injuries as a result of this incident and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and witnessed the collision to come forward.

“I would also appeal to anyone who has any dashcam or mobile phone footage that could assist with our investigation.

“Police can be contacted by calling 101 and quoting incident number 0590 of Sunday, 19 June, 2022.”

Investigation launched following disturbance in Leith Street

Detectives are appealing for information after a man was injured in the city centre.

Around 2.50am yesterday (Friday, 17 June), police were called to reports of a disturbance in Leith Street at its junction with Princes Street.

Emergency services attended and a 23-year-old man was taken to hospital.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this incident.

Detectives are continuing to review CCTV footage and enquiries carried out so far have established that several other people were in the area. Officers believe other people may also have been targeted.

Detective Sergeant Keith Taylor said: “We can see from CCTV images that other people may have been involved and I am asking these members of the public to contact us.

“I am sure their information will assist in our investigation. If you were in Princes Street at its junction with Leith Street in the early hours of this morning, please get in touch with us. Any small piece of information could prove vital.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 290 of 17 June, 2022. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where you can give your information anonymously.