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The Manc -
23rd April 2020
The Manc -
23rd April 2020 News
Northern blocks access to dating apps and websites on-board trains
Emily Sergeant
Access to dating apps and websites is now blocked on-board trains travelling across the north, it has been revealed.
Northern says there’s “good reason” for taking this decision.
This is because the WiFi provided by the train operator on-board its services travelling across the north of England is delivered under the ‘Friendly WiFi’ scheme, which blocks access to certain categories of content – including those associated with dating.
Websites and apps related to video streaming, gambling, alcohol, adult content, pornography, and nudity are also blocked.
The company says ‘Friendly WiFi’ – which it has been signed up to since 2017 – ensures its on-board internet service meets “minimum filtering standards” given the fact that children could be present around passengers at all times.
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The decision to ban dating apps and websites comes after Northern also urged passengers to stop viewing content that’s “not suitable for work” on its trains and stations in Greater Manchester and beyond, and pleaded for them to “wait until you get home” instead.
Content that Northern considers ‘NSFW’ can range from inappropriate jokes and bad language, right through to offensive topics and explicit material.
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Northern’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Rice, said access to “safe and reliable” internet is part of passengers’ expectations.
“Whilst some dating websites and users will operate with appropriate levels of self-moderation, some might not and it’s important that content not suitable for everyone to see or hear, particularly children, isn’t viewed on our trains,” Mr Rice explained.
“It’s simply about ensuring that there is sufficient bandwidth for all our customers to use while they’re on the go.
Read more:
- Northern pleads for passengers to stop watching ‘explicit material’ on trains
- Mancs can apply to be paired up with two potential partners for a ‘unique’ Channel 4 dating show
- Teens could be recruited as train drivers to help ‘improve’ Britain’s railways
“This on-board dating app embargo aside, we do wish our single customers all the best in their search for their perfect partner.”
Featured Image – Northern
News
Atherton man handed lengthy jail sentence after ‘sinister’ sexual abuse investigation
Emily Sergeant
A man has been handed a lengthy jail sentence after police uncovered his “sinister activities” during a sexual abuse investigation.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) revealed that Peter James Wilson, from the Greater Manchester town of Atherton, abused seven victims over a 51-year time frame, starting all the way back in 1972 when he was just 14 years old.
The now 67-year-old began what has been described as a “horrifying pattern of abusive behaviour” towards young people that “persisted for decades”.
Police say he subjected multiple victims, regardless of their age or gender, to “deeply traumatising experiences”, which ranged from things like inappropriate advances, through to “devastating” acts of coercion and even rape.
As the years passed, Wilson’s predatory behaviour continued to escalate, as he manipulated and took advantage of his victims, while “shattering their innocence and trust” in the process – but GMP says 2023 marked a “turning point”, as Wilson was arrested at his home on suspicion of sexual assault involving a child.
Wilson’s arrest followed a brave disclosure from one of his victims, and this led to a thorough search of his property, which went on to reveal shocking evidence of his sinister activities.
Among the items seized from Wilson’s home were two mobile phone devices, a disc enclosed within an envelope, and a small camera containing an SD card, while police said they also “disturbingly” recovered a hidden camera, and after analysing these items, videos depicting the “cruel exploitation” of a female child, aged approximately six to eight years old, were unearthed.
After gathering this information, GMP initiated ‘Operation Bunker’.
‘Operation Bunker’ led to the discovery of further victims, and went on to manage all 28 counts of Wilson’s abuse and crimes.
Wilson pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13 by touching, sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13 by penetration, and creating an indecent image of a child, as well as being found guilty by a jury of 23 further sexual offences relating to children and adults – including indecent assault and rape.
Read more:
- Bolton nurse whose 10-week-old baby died after being left home alone jailed
- New BBC drama film tells ‘devastating’ true story of football sexual abuse victims
- Bolton man pleads guilty to creating child sexual abuse content using AI
He was sentenced to 27 years in prison yesterday (16 September).
He will also be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), GMP has confirmed.
Featured Image – GMP
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