Social worker filmed under skirts

A senior social worker who used a hidden camera to film up women's skirts has been struck off.

Michael Bird, who has been sacked from his job at North Tyneside Council, adapted a tennis racquet bag to conceal a digital camera.

A General Social Care Council (GSCC) conduct hearing in central London heard the 55-year-old took the photos at stores in Newcastle in June 2008.

He received a police caution for voyeurism and has admitted misconduct.

The tribunal heard Bird, of Newcastle, used his hidden camera on four occasions, in Tesco at Kingston Park, Sainsbury's in Gosforth High Street, River Island in Eldon Square and Fenwick department store.

Fight claim

He was arrested on 25 June and admitted using the equipment in a department store.

He told officers he had taped down the camera's record button and put a piece of fabric over the camera lens to create the illusion an item of clothing was sticking of out the bag.

There was clearly an element of premeditation, planning and sophistication involved Tricia Bradbury, committee chairwoman

Police found images on his home computer and immediately alerted his employer.

When asked about his arrest, Bird told his bosses at the council's emergency duty team he had been involved in a fight, but was then forced to come clean, stating he "did not know what had come over him".

The recovered images were of women's upper thighs, bottoms and partially covered genitalia, the tribunal heard.

'Maintain trust'

Nirupar Uddin, presenting for the GSCC, said Bird had taken the photographs for his own personal gratification.

She told the hearing's panel the offences breached the codes of practice relating to social care workers, namely that individuals must strive to establish and maintain trust and confidence in service users and carers.

They must also uphold public trust and confidence in social care services by not behaving in a way which would call into question an individual's suitability to work in the sector.

After hearing the facts of the case, committee chairwoman Tricia Bradbury said: "There was clearly an element of premeditation, planning and sophistication involved.

"The camera had to be placed in such a way that it could not be seen but still operated."

She said the committee had taken into account Bird's positive references and his 25 years' service, but found it was a "serious incident of misconduct".