Covert police team to hunt online predators

21/6/04
A specially trained covert police team will be given special powers to catch paedophiles who use the Internet to ensnare young victims.
The police team will surf the Internet and pose as children.
Premier Geoff Gallop today outlined the new police powers to be contained in planned amendments to the Criminal Code, when he launched the State's groundbreaking Children First policy.
Dr Gallop said the policy was a 'whole-of-government' approach to supporting families and communities to ensure children were cared for and protected.
Children First upheld the welfare of children as a paramount priority. The comprehensive policy involved an inter-departmental approach to providing opportunity, services and support and protection.
The Premier said Children First was part of the State Government's commitment to protecting our future by protecting our children.
"Children First encapsulates our commitment to supporting families and communities to ensure that all children have access to the opportunities, services and support they need and that they are protected from harm," he said.
"Childhood, particularly early childhood, provides a priceless window of opportunity that we can only access for a short period and we really can't afford to miss that, which is why this Government has put Western Australian Children First."
Children First includes key initiatives such as the implementation of the Gordon Inquiry, the establishment of the Office for Children and Youth and a Children's Advisory Group, more than $200million in maintaining and upgrading schools, 525 extra school teachers, the implementation of the Early Years strategy and $32million to reduce homelessness.
Included in Children First is the establishment of a child protection register as part of the Australia National Child Offender Register, the criminal history screening of all school-based staff and the development of on-line investigative powers for police.
Dr Gallop said the amendments to the Criminal Code would make it an offence to surf the Internet searching for vulnerable prey with the intention of grooming or courting them for abuse.
It would also allow officers in the special On Line Covert Unit to pose as children on the Internet - particularly in chat rooms - to intercept a paedophile before they ensnared a child.
"The Internet is increasingly being used by paedophiles to form relationships with children, find out personal details about them and groom them for a meeting," the Premier said.
"These predators will often pose as a young girl or boy in these on line chat rooms to select a vulnerable child and forge friendships with their intended victim.
"In this case, legislation has failed to keep up with technology, and we must bring the law up to date to ensure we protect our children.
"The revised Criminal Code would not only make it illegal for paedophiles to surf the Internet looking for children, but would empower police to go online posing as young children to gather evidence against child sex offenders by developing a rapport with them."
Dr Gallop said there was similar online legislation in place in the ACT and in Queensland, where police had already charged several suspected paedophiles as a result of online investigations.
Premier's office: 9222 9475
Justice Minister's office: 9213 6600