Leisure staff watch for paedophiles

Leisurewatch wil be launched across the country

Staff working at leisure centres and amusement arcades across north-east England are being trained to spot potentially abusive behaviour against children.

The pilot project has been designed to better protect youngsters from potential pedophiles.

Leisurewatch will show staff how to approach people whose behaviour gives cause for concern.

The scheme will eventually be launched nationally.

The aim is to make sure people are watching out for behaviours that might indicate children are at risk

Professor Don Grubin, Newcastle University

Angela Serle, of the Derwent Initiative, which is administering the project, said it is an effective way of involving communities in protecting children.

Ms Serle said: "We are all very aware, post Sarah Payne, that the community were saying very clearly that they wanted a role in managing the problem of sex offenders.

"We wanted to encourage vigilance, not vigilantes, so we have engaged responsible groups within the community to work with us.

"We certainly don't want people going to leisure centres and feeling that they are being watched."

'At risk'

"But we had to come up with a way to make staff feel comfortable in going up to someone who may have been standing around a changing area for a while and say 'can I help you'."

Don Grubin, professor of forensic psychiatry at Newcastle University's sexual behaviour unit, said: "The aim of this is to make sure that people are watching out for behaviours that might indicate that children are at risk.

"This might be things like men who are attending these centres and don't appear to have any good reason to be there.

"The most important thing is that the staff in these centres know what to do about it and report it to designated Leisurewatch co-ordinators, who will in turn bring in the police if necessary."

'Sexual abuse'

Kevin Park, who works at Temple Park leisure centre in South Shields, is part of the pilot project.

He said: "Essentially we are familiarising frontline staff with various issues dealing with sexual abuse.

"This will give them the confidence to be able to approach this potential problem in the right way.

"They will also know there is the back-up from the police and other agencies."