Paedophile warning in London's parks

Paedophiles are using mobile phones and digital cameras to take pictures of children playing in London parks.

Police and Mayor Ken Livingstone today issued a joint warning to parents to be vigilant of the danger caused by advances in technology. They revealed that a dozen such cases are due to come to court shortly following arrests last summer.

High-profile and covert patrols are now planned for this summer in parks and public spaces across London. Warning signs alerting parents to the danger of paedophiles photographing their children will be erected.

Mr Livingstone, speaking at the Met's specialist child abuse centre in south London, said that prior to the new advances in technology, films would have to be developed at the chemists who would alert police to anything suspicious.

He urged parents suspecting a paedophile to call police or a park warden.