Some time ago, Mr D posted this thread about conduct on the forum.
The responses at the time showed that most of you were confused, to say the least, although it seems that quite a few members now have a good idea about what had been going on.

I'm not going to name any names here, but it's about time members were given more information about what had happened to prompt this topic, and also about the decisions that were made at the time, and recent consequences too.

The day before Shane posted his topic, I had been chatting to a young member (under 16, male) on msn. The convo was pretty normal until he mentioned that the forum was really good apart from the "perve". I'd no idea what he meant, so he explained that another member, well-known and male, had been chatting to him on msn and asking him for pictures and whether he had had sex etc.

I was concerned about this, and at the first opportunity had a chat with Shane (Mr D) about it. It was difficult to know what to do, as no complaint had been made, and it was just an allegation - although there was no reason for us to assume it to be false.
The member was about to go away for a few days, and had gone by the time Shane and I had a chat, so we couldn't ask for any further details, so thought it would be best for Shane to make the post he did. If there was nothing serious taking place, the post was reasonable enough to appear just to remind everyone of the rules, and, if there was anything more serious, it just might open a can of worms.

This was not discussed amongst mods / admins, as we wanted to get something under way quickly, and none were around at the time.

There were a few jokes and comments made after the thread started, but no-one at the time came forward with any further allegations. But, people will chat, and a few people had an idea what was going on, and a few posts were made in various sections over a period of time - although some were obviously pure guesswork.

The member alleged to have been a "perve" was not contacted at that time - nor was he banned, as there was too little proof of anything - and anything we said might have been regarded as libellous.

A couple of months later a new thread was started about this - naming the person who was alleged to have made an approach, and there was a reply there from someone else who had been approached.

The "perve" was apparently contacted by admin, and warned, but technically, there was nothing illegal in what he had done on the forum, he had contacted members, either by asking to be added on msn to people who'd posted their addy on their profile, or PMing them for their msn addy and chatting there.

The only person on the forum that was under 16 who had been contacted now denied anything had happened anyway, so there was little that could be done by anyone here.

Then I was contacted on msn by a member the other day who had been approached by the guy, and had chatted on msn, and had also given him his mobile number. He is over 16, but felt he was silly in what he had done.
He was now being pestered by the guy, and was rather worried.
I suggested he go to the police in that case, but he was concerned his family might find out.
He was also asking another member for advice on msn, and that member contacted me and said we should have done something earlier. I'm still not sure what we could or should have done, but decided I would go to the police myself and try and get some help.

As Shane said to me, the police are asking for anyone who spots any suspicious behaviour in chat rooms etc to give them info so they can act, so I got little bits of info (like the IP address) about the guy causing the problems, although he has left this forum now.

Basically, I had to sit for ages in the police station while a guy who'd witnessed a minor traffic accident had to produce his driving license etc, as requested at the scene of the accident, and they had asked hime to take it to the nearest police station as he'd not had it with him at the time. This took ages, with all the forms etc, especially as he'd not been able to find his license and was off on holiday later that day, etc, etc.

I'd said at the desk that I wanted to report a possible paedophile, then this guy walked in, so they asked if I'd wait till they dealt with him so we could discuss it in private.

Stupidly, I thought they were going to have a serious discussion with me.

But, when they got to me, they couldn't let me report on behalf of the youngster, he'd have to do it himself, or a family member, like a parent.
When I said he was too worried to go to the police himself, and didn't want his family to know, the next get-out was that he didn't live near me and was from outside their police area, so they could do nothing.

So, I decided on a different tactic - "What about the pervert?"
"He's from a different district too, so there's nothing we can do."

When I mentioned there was a possibility he had a spare time activity working with youngsters, the response was "Yeeugh."

We have all heard that anyone working with young people - even in a voluntary basis - must be cleared before they do so. I suppose that means they must be checked for convictions. But, what if they don't have a conviction - yet?
They certainly weren't interested during my visit.

I was told that we mods / admins had no reason to worry - if we suspected anyone on the forum, it wouldn't be our problem, we couldn't be held responsible.

When I mentioned that banning him would just let him move elsewhere, and he could find msn addies anyway, the response was something like "It's not your problem."

So - when the police say they are actively seeking paedophiles on the net etc - forget it. If they're online, they're probably just playing games or something.
You'll have to be assaulted before they drag themselves away from filling in unnecessary forms.

Basically then, if anyone here suspects someone of anything - inform us immediately, so a ban can be put in force.
Do not give your msn addy or any other online contact until you feel sure about them.
And don't give any personal details that may help them find you - or even a mobile phone number.

If you feel the police could be behaving differently - maybe let your MP know (not that that is likely to help much - you'll probably just get another raft of excuses.)

Good to hear some clarification and a public warning about this. Because it was/is very serious and it shouldn't have been allowed to go on.

Unfortunately it did go on and hopefully the "pervert" will not be able to contact members of this forum anymore, at least. It just shows that this sort of behaviour does go on unnoticed and it's very disturbing.

This thread should ring the alarm for every member on here, and hopefully it'll make more members take more care and consideration with contacting other members; also it should influence more members to pass on any information of anything suspicious.

Truly disturbing.

Sometimes when we delete posts, a whole thread disappears - so I'll leave it atm, until they've sorted the problem, just in case
Sorry about that.

Expected this from cops as always.

I offered the IP to the police - they should know how to deal with it I suppose?

But they didn't want it.

So - any suggestions about what organisation we can contact?

We have special task force here that searches for pervs online all day, but it's only for US. I doubt they would do anything for UK or other countries sorry

WTF! This is heavy!

We have a "Children protection Organization" here in Spain, you probably have something similar over there, I think that's the right place to contact.

But would they care about what happens in UK. I mean unless it involves something like a spanish citizen I doubt they would do anything.

That's why I said that they probably have something similar over there (in the UK). I don't think a spanish organization could do anything about it either.

Hire a hitman.

Shall I show you my vard

I thought we were trying to stop that sort of thing

I meant to writ "card" but the damn thing wouldn't let me edit my post

...in my case being involved with children through teaching Karate i had to fill in a CRB form and that was no problem for me ...but then i found out they ( the police) wanted £40 to confirm i was ok to teach children . I would have to pay this each year to allow me to officially be able to teach children ..well anyone in fact , so annoyed by this i did not go ahead with the CRB . So now i am officially just a student , i do still however teach children and adults and nothing has really changed .

Its all just a big money grabbing excecise in my opinion , why not allow a free check , why should the majority of people have to pay when they are totally normal tax paying citizens .

I reckon Thurrock FC would be a start, found this post by said member in the coaching section



in a thread entitled "got a game tomoz (under 11 boys team) need a win any ideas"

niceone TWM!!
What a read i never knew it was like that im one of the stupid people who NEARLY met up with him-im alot older than some of you guys and can handle myself but that truly is quite upsetting-just goes to show-and no offence to anyone here- but you cant trutst ANY one over the net and on forums.

Yes BB - you don't know if anyone is who they say they are.
I have met a few off this forum, and they have all been really great, and have certainly not been anything unlike what they said they were.

But, you never know! Younger people are often willing to chat to just about anyone via msn etc, and I've been surprised that some have offered to go on webcam when talking to me - nothing rude or anything - just the "do you want to see me on webcam?" type of thing.

I'm a harmless old git, as a few who have met me will attest to - but, some of these youngsters have no idea who I really am - often they just get my msn addy, which is available on my profile, and ask to chat.

If I was that way inclined - how easy would it be to take advantage?

And, before you start getting ideas, no, I'm not planning on trying to find out

BJ - thanks for that tip. I'll try and find a contact there to speak to.
But knowing my luck, they'll be run by the local police

Phew. Your mindgames were quite entrancing

well i can vouch for Twmcat , he is indeed a harmless old git ....

I second that, and I think I know him the best from all peeps on the forum here

He's just a little fond of sheep.

And farmyard animals in general

quite frankly im not suprised at the reaction of the Police.

but may i just thank Twmcat for going through all that on our behalf to try and make things better for us all. he has gone out of his way to make things happen and that in itself deserves applauding in this selfish world. himself and O Dogg regularly put themselves out for the good of the forum and its users and they deserve our thanks and support.