A BBC investigation reveals that some men from a 1970s pro-paedophile list could still be in contact with children.
The group, known as the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE), was active during a time of significant social change in the UK. The Metropolitan Police held onto this list for about 20 years, and it includes names and addresses of mostly men. While many of these individuals are no longer alive, a few may still be in positions that allow them contact with minors.
Interestingly, the BBC found that none of the men currently in contact with children have any known criminal convictions. This means they could have passed background checks for their jobs. The list includes teachers, social workers, and youth coaches, raising serious concerns about child safety.
The investigation also revealed that about half of the individuals on the list had been convicted of sexual offenses against children. The police had previously raided many of these individuals, but being a member of PIE alone wasn’t enough to charge someone with a crime.
The former officer who handed over the list mentioned that it was difficult to use the information for legal action. Despite the challenges, the police did manage to prosecute some senior PIE members in the early 1980s, but the organization itself ceased to exist by 1984.
The list was eventually passed to a former social worker, who has been advocating for better oversight of individuals linked to PIE. He expressed frustration over the lack of action from authorities to address the issue of child safety in social services.
In light of these revelations, the Home Secretary has proposed new measures to hold accountable those who fail to report child sexual abuse. The Metropolitan Police have reiterated their commitment to tackling these crimes, urging anyone with information to come forward, regardless of how much time has passed.
