CEOP chief quits over merger of child protection agency

The Government's decision to merge the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre with a proposed crime agency has sparked the resignation of its chief executive.

Jim Gamble called time on his tenure - during which he has been highly visible with schemes to protect youngsters - after the Government confirmed plans to bring CEOP under the National Crime Agency umbrella in 2013.

The service is currently affiliated with the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, but is run with a separate board and had been hoping for more independence, not less.

IT is not in the best interests of children and young people for CEOP to be assimilated into the National Crime Agency

In a statement to the media, CEOP said it was “not in the best interests of children and young people for CEOP to be assimilated into the National Crime Agency”, and Gamble resigned over fears that being part of the agency would curtail its independence.

Earlier this year, the previous Government said in a white paper that it believed the success of CEOP proved it should be given an independent role.

“Having considered the success that the Centre has become, and the need to provide protection for children on the internet on a long-term basis, the Government believes that the CEOP Centre should become a Non-Departmental Public Body,” the document said.

"Disgusted"

Child support groups were “disgusted” with a decision that forced out an official that observers believe has made a real difference the battle against online child abuse.

Gamble was vocal in persuading Facebook to employ a “panic button” that gives children a direct contact point with CEOP officers if they believe they are being targeted on social networks.

"This is the worst possible news and a devastating blow for UK child protection - Jim Gamble changed the face of child protection for the better, forever,” said the child abuse help group the Phoenix Foundation.

“We cannot begin to describe how disgusted we are with our own Government for betraying him and for betraying all of our children."

However, Gamble's tenure at CEOP has not been without its controversy. PC Pro investigations revealed how computer evidence used in the prosecution of alleged paedophiles was founded on falsehoods, and that many of those prosecuted were merely victims of credit-card fraud. CEOP has always denied the evidence was flawed.

The Home Office defended the plans, saying that the country did not need another quango to continue the good work started by CEOP.