Want to stroll in Park? You may "need" a child to do so..
Discussion
This ist now getting ridiculous 
I gave the rather lurid headline (sorry - it a bit lurid - but this what the article could lead to) - because I can foresee that this could lead to such measures.
Look - very few folk out there are "kiddy fiddlers" und by telling parents that each person on reaching age 18 years "becomes one" - we put them off allowing children to be children und we not only raise a generation of badly exercised children - we also raise a generation who are unable to make adult decisions or think for themselves as adults You can make these kids pass as many "micky mouse tests" as you like - but the real acid test lie in what they actually understand und what they can actually do und achieve und progress our lives. We are stunting all this und shortening the life span .. perhaps returning to the short lives we had in the Middle Ages
I can see kiddies being abducted or borrowed when an adult wish to go for a stroll in the park.. or more adults und pets becoming :listenup: obese through such arrogant, nannygrot, interfering busysybody .. ARCCHHHHH! Word fail me. For once..
[quote="Daily Telegraph article"]
[b]Council officials told to question adults in public park without children
Council staff have been ordered to stop and question adults walking in a public park who are not with children.[/b]
By Nick Britten
Last Updated: 4:53PM BST 09 Sep 2008
People out for a stroll or to walk their dog face being quizzed about their motives for being there and placed under suspicion of being a paedophile.
Senior officials at Telford and Wreckin Council said the policy was to protect children and the vulnerable, and they would only stop anyone acting suspiciously.
But their actions have been branded heavy handed and "draconian".
The policy came to light after two environmental campaigners dressed as penguins were thrown out of Telford Town Park when caught handing out leaflets on climate change.
Rachel Whittaker and Neil Donaldson, of the Wrekin Stop War pressure group, were told they had to leave the park because they had not undergone Criminal Records Bureau checks or risk assessments before being allowed near children.
David Ottley, Telford & Wrekin's sports and recreation manager, said in a letter to them: "Our Town Park staff approach adults that are not associated with any children in the Town Park and request the reason for them being there."
"In particular, this applies to those areas where children or more vulnerable groups gather, such as play facilities and the entrances to play areas."
However Miss Whittaker, 34, said: "I'm outraged that my concern for the planet and for the future of all children can be turned into petty bureaucracy.
"It is dangerous as well as frightening people, it could start a hysterical society and punishes people who have done nothing wrong while giving an outlet for those with sinister motives a way of getting around it.
"I think they are reacting to what was is essence an expression to public expression of free speech - and how many child molesters dress up as penguins anyway?"
Mr Evans, a former childcare social worker, added: "It is authoritarian madness which can only be based on ignorance.
"It appears that the council wants to use child protection as a cover for anything they don't like taking place in the park.
"It is absurd, it is insulting and what's more it is dangerous as it panics people about the dangers their children face."
Denis Allen, Council spokesman for community services, said: "Our staff are asked to approach adults without children in areas where children gather such as play areas, using their own judgement and discretion.
"Having systems and procedures to protect the vulnerable may be unacceptable to some people but we have a duty of care to children and we take our duties very seriously."
Ron Odunayia, Director of Community Services, said; "Let's put this whole issue into common sense context. We are not talking about a blanket policy covering everybody who enjoys our Town Park.
"However, and this is the crucial part, if someone is acting in a suspicious manner or acting in an inappropriate way then, of course, our staff reserve the right to ask questions. "
[/quote]
I gave the rather lurid headline (sorry - it a bit lurid - but this what the article could lead to) - because I can foresee that this could lead to such measures. Look - very few folk out there are "kiddy fiddlers" und by telling parents that each person on reaching age 18 years "becomes one" - we put them off allowing children to be children und we not only raise a generation of badly exercised children - we also raise a generation who are unable to make adult decisions or think for themselves as adults You can make these kids pass as many "micky mouse tests" as you like - but the real acid test lie in what they actually understand und what they can actually do und achieve und progress our lives. We are stunting all this und shortening the life span .. perhaps returning to the short lives we had in the Middle Ages
I can see kiddies being abducted or borrowed when an adult wish to go for a stroll in the park.. or more adults und pets becoming :listenup: obese through such arrogant, nannygrot, interfering busysybody .. ARCCHHHHH! Word fail me.
For once.. [quote="Daily Telegraph article"]
[b]Council officials told to question adults in public park without children
Council staff have been ordered to stop and question adults walking in a public park who are not with children.[/b]
By Nick Britten
Last Updated: 4:53PM BST 09 Sep 2008
People out for a stroll or to walk their dog face being quizzed about their motives for being there and placed under suspicion of being a paedophile.
Senior officials at Telford and Wreckin Council said the policy was to protect children and the vulnerable, and they would only stop anyone acting suspiciously.
But their actions have been branded heavy handed and "draconian".
The policy came to light after two environmental campaigners dressed as penguins were thrown out of Telford Town Park when caught handing out leaflets on climate change.
Rachel Whittaker and Neil Donaldson, of the Wrekin Stop War pressure group, were told they had to leave the park because they had not undergone Criminal Records Bureau checks or risk assessments before being allowed near children.
David Ottley, Telford & Wrekin's sports and recreation manager, said in a letter to them: "Our Town Park staff approach adults that are not associated with any children in the Town Park and request the reason for them being there."
"In particular, this applies to those areas where children or more vulnerable groups gather, such as play facilities and the entrances to play areas."
However Miss Whittaker, 34, said: "I'm outraged that my concern for the planet and for the future of all children can be turned into petty bureaucracy.
"It is dangerous as well as frightening people, it could start a hysterical society and punishes people who have done nothing wrong while giving an outlet for those with sinister motives a way of getting around it.
"I think they are reacting to what was is essence an expression to public expression of free speech - and how many child molesters dress up as penguins anyway?"
Mr Evans, a former childcare social worker, added: "It is authoritarian madness which can only be based on ignorance.
"It appears that the council wants to use child protection as a cover for anything they don't like taking place in the park.
"It is absurd, it is insulting and what's more it is dangerous as it panics people about the dangers their children face."
Denis Allen, Council spokesman for community services, said: "Our staff are asked to approach adults without children in areas where children gather such as play areas, using their own judgement and discretion.
"Having systems and procedures to protect the vulnerable may be unacceptable to some people but we have a duty of care to children and we take our duties very seriously."
Ron Odunayia, Director of Community Services, said; "Let's put this whole issue into common sense context. We are not talking about a blanket policy covering everybody who enjoys our Town Park.
"However, and this is the crucial part, if someone is acting in a suspicious manner or acting in an inappropriate way then, of course, our staff reserve the right to ask questions. "
[/quote]
Ron Odunayia Director of Community Services said:
Let's put this whole issue into common sense context. We are not talking about a blanket policy covering everybody who enjoys our Town Park.
However, and this is the crucial part, if someone is acting in a suspicious manner or acting in an inappropriate way then, of course, our staff reserve the right to ask questions.
And I reserve the right to tell them to go screw themselves, whatever I'm doing.However, and this is the crucial part, if someone is acting in a suspicious manner or acting in an inappropriate way then, of course, our staff reserve the right to ask questions.
Justayellowbadge said:
Ach .. sorry 
I do not see every post. There ist so much to read on the site. But it really does make blood boil though. I cannot believe that these council folk are so stupid as to believe everyone a potential "predator".
OK solution .. und remember I am a Mama who loves her children .. enjoys trying to bring them up (most of the time .. but kids can try patience of Job at times
) - but if this the case - then maybe we will end up with the society as envisioned by Aldous Huxley where "people are made to design in a lab und no one actually has sex or gives birth or lives life to enjoy it" A miserable life then "- and how many child molesters dress up as penguins anyway?"
Now THAT's not something you hear every day.
Anyway, most of the people between the ages of 12 and 18 are there smoking weed or drinking cider. Who do they need protecting from?
Now THAT's not something you hear every day.
Anyway, most of the people between the ages of 12 and 18 are there smoking weed or drinking cider. Who do they need protecting from?
Edited by crofty1984 on Wednesday 10th September 08:04
arnt public parks etc maintained by the council , therefore our council tax pays for them to plant silly flowers to make it look pretty .
if someone tells me am not welcome they will get told where to go .
failing that will get the misis to s
t a kid out and go sit and sponge of the dole maybe that would make them happyer . ffs have they realy ot nothing better to come up with .
when will they realise most pepole dont visit them anyway for the faer of been mugged as its full of 13yr olds getting pissed out there faces .
sorry about english not my strong point
if someone tells me am not welcome they will get told where to go .
failing that will get the misis to s
t a kid out and go sit and sponge of the dole maybe that would make them happyer . ffs have they realy ot nothing better to come up with .when will they realise most pepole dont visit them anyway for the faer of been mugged as its full of 13yr olds getting pissed out there faces .
sorry about english not my strong point
WildCat said:
Rachel Whittaker and Neil Donaldson were told they had to leave the park because they had not undergone Criminal Records Bureau checks
That is so ridiculous! does that mean that every single shop-worker throughout the whole country has to undergo criminal record bureau checks too? surely a shop-worker is even more likely to encounter children on a day to day basis than an eco-warrior arent they?
Justayellowbadge said:
Wunderbar!Achtung...repost!
How true is the article?
How much is it just tabloid scaremongering?
Is there any proposal that any such law would be introduced?
I am extremely sceptical of headlines of this nature. The press seem to be on a permanent mission to get us all riled up about things - and to buy their papers, of course.
How true is the article?
How much is it just tabloid scaremongering?
Is there any proposal that any such law would be introduced?
I am extremely sceptical of headlines of this nature. The press seem to be on a permanent mission to get us all riled up about things - and to buy their papers, of course.
Jesus... Lets hope there isn't much truth in it. It's nuts.
Has anyone else heard that song (sort of white man's hip hop!) where a bloke does a monologue which includes something to the effect of 'not everyone who says hello to children is a paedophiles - some people are just nice'.
(It's quite amusing, goes on about all sorts of derranged social perceptions.)
Has anyone else heard that song (sort of white man's hip hop!) where a bloke does a monologue which includes something to the effect of 'not everyone who says hello to children is a paedophiles - some people are just nice'.
(It's quite amusing, goes on about all sorts of derranged social perceptions.)
Neil_H said:
Justayellowbadge said:
Wunderbar!
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