Police and Crime Commissioner calls for unilateral support to ensure children ‘surf safely’

Feb. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- Commissioner Wright spoke in support of ‘Safer Internet Day’ and the report from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre highlighting the alarming trend in online sexual abuse of minors.

However, the Commissioner believes this advice of extra vigilance should be extended to other influencing figures in children’s lives, such as teachers, religious, community and youth leaders.

Commissioner Wright said:

“While it is good to see a 12% drop in incidents of attempts being made by groomers to meet children, online abuse is something that must, to a great degree, be addressed domestically.

“It has been consistently shown that children whose internet activities are scrutinised and who can be open with their parents or carers about what they do or see online, tend to enjoy a better level or protection from grooming. They also appear more resistant to the methods these offenders use.

“The 12-16 year old group, those who are the most vulnerable to this type of activity, have grown up with the internet and smart phones and tend to take this technology totally for granted.

“We must educate our children to ‘surf safely’ and protect their personal information. They must tell an adult about anything they see online that causes concern or makes them feel uncomfortable.”

NOTES TO EDITORS
1.   Commissioner Wright has already stated his commitment to working in partnership across a range of agencies at local, regional and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime in South Yorkshire. He wants to ensure that community needs are met as effectively as possible, and he recognises that by building confidence and restoring trust, this in turn will greatly improve local relationships.

2.   The Police and Crime Commissioner, based at the South Yorkshire Joint Authorities in Barnsley, is an elected individual who oversees policing in South Yorkshire (Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster). The role of the Commissioner is to be the voice of the people and hold the police to account. The Commissioner does not run the police, as this is the responsibility of the Chief Constable.

3.   The Commissioner is responsible for representing the public within South Yorkshire, cutting crime, reducing reoffending and delivering an effective and efficient police service within South Yorkshire.