Calls for police forces to have a digital child abuse unit after Oswestry police worker dismissed over indecent photos
Calls have been made for every police force in the country to have a specialist digital child abuse unit after a West Mercia Police worker convicted of making indecent photographs was sacked following a misconduct hearing.
It comes after John Frankland, 60, from Oswestry, who worked as Operations and Communication Centre operator for the force in Hindlip, was dismissed after appearing at Telford Magistrates' Court on April 10 charged with three counts of making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.
He received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Children's charity NSPCC has today condemned the actions of the former police worker.
Imthiaz Rehman, a spokesman for the NSPCC, said: "By making an indecent image of a child, Frankland has helped to sustain a sickening market in online child abuse imagery.
"Everything possible must be done to tackle this trade in misery and abuse."
He added: "The NSPCC is calling for every police force in the UK to have a specialist digital child abuse unit, trained to deal with sexual and other online offences against children."
West Mercia Police said Frankland's offences were not committed while he was at work.
Earlier this week superintendent Helena Bennett, head of professional standards for West Mercia Police, said: "The member of staff had been suspended from duty and has since been dismissed from his post."
She said that the outcome of the misconduct hearing is subject to the normal appeals process.
Anyone with concerns about a child can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. Children can contact Childline in confidence and at any time on 0800 1111 or via www.childline.org.uk.
