16/06/2005
G8 ministers expected to approve paedophile register
G8 ministers are expected to approve plans to introduce a global paedophile register at a meeting today.
The justice and home affairs ministers for the G8 are discussing the plans, which have been developed by Interpol over the past two years, at the meeting in Sheffield.
The new database would combine photographs of paedophiles and pornographic images from all the G8 nations, in order to make identification of abusers and victims easier and also to help catch more offenders, including international gangs.
Britain’s database alone already includes 800,000 such images. According to Home Office statistics published last year, there were 24, 572 registered sex offenders in the UK by the end of March 2004.
The database would also include a system to automatically scan the faces of convicted paedophiles and pornographic pictures to include them in the database.
The technology is also expected to be able to help police identify whether a room or background scene had been used in several different images of child abuse.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke said that he hoped the £2 million system would become operational this year. He described the register as a “powerful tool” and said: “As a means of tackling this kind of vile organised crime, it is very positive.”
Mr Clarke also said that he was hoping the US would agree to postpone the October deadline for the introduction of biometrics to passports at today’s meeting. He said he hoped that American Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff would allow an extension to the US visa waiver, while technical problems were sorted sort.
A number of other topics are also on the agenda of today’s meeting, including counter-terrorism measures and tackling organised crime, as well as corruption in Africa.
(KMcA/SP)
The justice and home affairs ministers for the G8 are discussing the plans, which have been developed by Interpol over the past two years, at the meeting in Sheffield.
The new database would combine photographs of paedophiles and pornographic images from all the G8 nations, in order to make identification of abusers and victims easier and also to help catch more offenders, including international gangs.
Britain’s database alone already includes 800,000 such images. According to Home Office statistics published last year, there were 24, 572 registered sex offenders in the UK by the end of March 2004.
The database would also include a system to automatically scan the faces of convicted paedophiles and pornographic pictures to include them in the database.
The technology is also expected to be able to help police identify whether a room or background scene had been used in several different images of child abuse.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke said that he hoped the £2 million system would become operational this year. He described the register as a “powerful tool” and said: “As a means of tackling this kind of vile organised crime, it is very positive.”
Mr Clarke also said that he was hoping the US would agree to postpone the October deadline for the introduction of biometrics to passports at today’s meeting. He said he hoped that American Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff would allow an extension to the US visa waiver, while technical problems were sorted sort.
A number of other topics are also on the agenda of today’s meeting, including counter-terrorism measures and tackling organised crime, as well as corruption in Africa.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 September 2015
Four Jailed For 70 Years For Child Abuse
Two men and two women have been jailed for a total of 70 years after being found guilty of 49 child sexual abuse and cruelty offences. The group was found guilty following a three month trial, where charges included rape, sexual assault and ABH, carried out against five victims all aged under 13 at the time.
Four Jailed For 70 Years For Child Abuse
Two men and two women have been jailed for a total of 70 years after being found guilty of 49 child sexual abuse and cruelty offences. The group was found guilty following a three month trial, where charges included rape, sexual assault and ABH, carried out against five victims all aged under 13 at the time.
24 April 2015
Eleven Rescued From Flats Fire In London
Eleven people, including five children, were rescued from a fire at a block of flats in Enfield. Emergency services were called to the flats on South Street at about 18:40 on Thursday night. London Fire Brigade said five engines and 31 firefighters responded to the fire, which was well established when they arrived.
Eleven Rescued From Flats Fire In London
Eleven people, including five children, were rescued from a fire at a block of flats in Enfield. Emergency services were called to the flats on South Street at about 18:40 on Thursday night. London Fire Brigade said five engines and 31 firefighters responded to the fire, which was well established when they arrived.
13 November 2014
13 Arrested Over Forced Marriage And Abortion Plot
Police in Manchester have arrested thirteen people in connection with a pregnant woman allegedly sold into a forced marriage. Authorities were contacted after a 20-year-old Slovakian revealed to an interpreter that she had been "sold against her will".
13 Arrested Over Forced Marriage And Abortion Plot
Police in Manchester have arrested thirteen people in connection with a pregnant woman allegedly sold into a forced marriage. Authorities were contacted after a 20-year-old Slovakian revealed to an interpreter that she had been "sold against her will".
06 November 2014
18-Year-Old Charged Over Explosives Discovery
Northumbria Police have foiled a plot to cause "serious harm" at Newcastle College in Tyneside. Police have arrested an 18-year-old male in connection with the discovery of homemade explosives at a house in Hamilton Place on Monday.
18-Year-Old Charged Over Explosives Discovery
Northumbria Police have foiled a plot to cause "serious harm" at Newcastle College in Tyneside. Police have arrested an 18-year-old male in connection with the discovery of homemade explosives at a house in Hamilton Place on Monday.
04 June 2014
Tesco Reports Worst Sales Figures In 40 Years
Tesco's chief executive Philip Clarke has admitted the chain's latest drop in sales, which is the third falling quarter in a row, represents the worst he has seen in his 40 years with the group. According to the supermarket chain, for the three months to 24 May like-for-like UK sales, including VAT and excluding petrol, fell by 3.7%.
Tesco Reports Worst Sales Figures In 40 Years
Tesco's chief executive Philip Clarke has admitted the chain's latest drop in sales, which is the third falling quarter in a row, represents the worst he has seen in his 40 years with the group. According to the supermarket chain, for the three months to 24 May like-for-like UK sales, including VAT and excluding petrol, fell by 3.7%.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.