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Original poster

Sick Advert on Local Radio Station Website.... What should I do??

123 replies

Toothache · 21/06/2004 17:36

I went onto Central FM's website as I'm wanting to sell a wardrobe and sofabed. They do free advertising so thought it a good place to start.

Whilst there I had a browse around the Toy Section to see if there were any good bargain. Some sick pervert has advertised Child Porn for Sale!

It goes into a bit of detail and explains that all photos are taken in his own living room and there's a mobile number to call.
I found it really upsetting and emailed the radio station through the "Contact Us" link to ask them to remove it. The email was returned to me.

What should I do? Should I just ignore it?? Should I call the radio station?? Should I notify the police??? Surely even pretending about this stuff is illegal?

Advice please..

OP posts:
Piffleoffagus · 21/06/2004 19:20

police here too, deffo

gscrym · 21/06/2004 20:28

Toothache,
I just saw the ad and called Scot-ads to complain. They said they had no idea it was there and that they would investigate. They also said they would inform the correct authorities. I told them no need as I would be calling them myself. I didn't mean to step on your toes, please don't feel I have. I called Alloa police station and gave them all the details. I also informed Scot-Ads that information about this ad hda now been posted on Mumsnet, a parenting web forum and that already some people had contacted the advertising standards authority.
The police said they would be investigating this and would get back in touch with me.
Again, I'm sorry if I've stepped on your toes but I was so shocked when I saw it.

Thomcat · 21/06/2004 20:33

What happened. Did you call the police, what are they doing???????

SoupDragon · 21/06/2004 20:44

Oooh, well done gscrym!

Thomcat · 21/06/2004 20:54

Ohhh, just read your post properly gscrym, well done. Please report back with any news.

coppertop · 21/06/2004 21:05

It sounds like a very sick person's idea of a joke. Hopefully a visit from the police will make them realise that some things are NEVER funny.

GillW · 21/06/2004 21:05

Youu can also email [email protected] and they'll close the account down, and possibly pass on any other details they have to the relevant authority.

ks · 21/06/2004 21:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

gscrym · 21/06/2004 22:04

I only did what Toothache was going to do. She was the one who brought all of our attention to it. I just had free time as my little guy has chickenpox and was asleep at the time. Like she said before, as many of you as possible should complain to the advertising standards about this.

woodpops · 21/06/2004 23:26

Many moons ago I used to work in a mini lab. We had some very suspect pictures once, informed the police who came and had a look. They then checked their data base and informed us that there was no record of child abuse or children being 'at risk' at that address. But surely child abuse has to start somewhere doesn't it?? Like I said though, it was years ago and nowadays (hopefully) child abuse is better reported and taken more seriously. But as a result of that incident it's made me very wary of photos I take of my kids. I don't even like to take pictures of them in the bath for fear of people thinking they're dodgy. Well done toothache and gscrym, these evil b@stards need stringing up by the balls. The frightening thing is we could be living next door to wierdos like that and by law we don't have a right to know. Pathetic isn't it???

handlemecarefully · 22/06/2004 00:40

Well done both gyscrym and toothache. Much better to take action than to stand on the sidelines.

Original poster
Toothache · 22/06/2004 10:57

Gscrym - It's not ScotAds newspaper though!!!! Oh dear! It's ScotAds.com and there is no phone number on the site. They state on the site that they are totally independant of the newspaper. How did you get their number? Thanks for contacting the police, seems you had more luck with Alloa than I did!

The police came around last night after I was given the run-araound. The lady I spoke to at Alloa police station was less than helpful! She just siad there was no-one there from COmputer Crime Squad and could I phone back tomorrow!! I was livid! I expressed my concern at her lack of interest in an advert placed about Hardcore Child Porn, she said she could take the details and pass them on, but even though Alloa Police share the building with the CCS she probably wouldn't get the message to them for a day or 2. I put the phone down and phoned Central Scotland Police, informed them of this COnstables attitiude and within minute there were 2 Officers at my door to get the details.

Anyway.... they have the website, the guys email address and phone number now and they said they'd keep me informed of any progress.

Thanks for all the advice. Lets hope they nail the bastard! And give the website a knuckle wrapping for not monitoring Ads more effectively!

OP posts:
jampot · 22/06/2004 11:04

Well done to both of you for being so vigilant!

Original poster
Toothache · 22/06/2004 11:05

Good idea Gillw! I'll do that.

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gscrym · 22/06/2004 11:30

Oops for the Scot-ad newspaper. I'll contact them today and make them aware of it and apologise. The police in Alloa just said thanks for letting us know, we'll be in touch. At least they came round to speak to you but I'm glad they have everything they need. I wasn't impressed with the 'well we can't just charge round accusing someone' comment I got. Especially seeing as there was an article in the news recently that all 8 forces were involved in a child pornography operation that had some quite influential people helping with enquiries.
If I don't hear anything, my DH knows a few people in the police so he says he'll ask them.

Original poster
Toothache · 22/06/2004 11:37

Gscrym - Maybe it's a good thing that Scot Ads Newspaper are made aware that there is a website operating with their name and it's allowing horrible Ads to be posted on it! I'm sure they will be livid too.

They really sounded disinterested in Alloa didn't they?? I phoned Randolfield and the guy there was taken aback when I explained. He asked my to put a complaint in writing to the Sergeant of the Alloa Constabulary. I'm sure the local press would have a field day if they were informed of the blase attitude of the police to someone advertising the sale of hardcore child porn videos!
Makes me feel sick!

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Tissy · 22/06/2004 11:51

my email to scotads got returned as well, but have emailed hotmail and also the internet watch foundation , as well. Not sure if they will be able to help, as the images are not on the internet, just the advert, but they should be able to point us in the right direction of the correct people to report it to.

NomDePlume · 22/06/2004 12:13

I'd call the police. Disgusting

NomDePlume · 22/06/2004 12:16

Well done gscrym and toothache for being so pro-active

LunarSea · 22/06/2004 13:01

You can get the details of who registered the scotads.com site here - and there's a phone number too. This is probably just the company who put the site together and/or host it - but there is a phone number, and they might be able to give you details of who the site owners are and how to contact them.

aloha · 22/06/2004 13:32

Call the local paper, the radio station and the police. It's a great local story and the exposure will make sure it never happens again, and they'll find the person who put the ad on.

aloha · 22/06/2004 13:34

Just realised it is connected with the local paper!! Do they have a rival???

bunnyrabbit · 22/06/2004 13:35

Well done guys. If it isn't a sick joke, I hope the guy gets strung up by the balls!!!

BR

Original poster
Toothache · 22/06/2004 13:37

LunarSea - WOW! That's fantastic... he's a local lad too.

Aloha - I thought that at first too, but no it has the same name as the local free advertising newspaper, but categorically states on the website they are not associated in any way. THankfully, as it's quite a well known free ads newspaper. Gscrym contacted them by mistake as my posts were a bit misleading.

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Original poster
Toothache · 22/06/2004 13:58

Right, DH just phoned to say the PC that came around last night has been in touch and asked that I phone him at the station. I have, but he was busy so I'm waiting for hiim to call me at work. Should I give him the information the LunarSea has posted?? I think I should, it would save them some time.

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