Nursery Worker Held In Child Porn Raids

3:05pm UK, Tuesday June 09, 2009

A nursery worker has been arrested in connection with the distribution of indecent images of children.

The Little Teds nursery in Plymouth has been closed while Devon and Cornwall Police carry out inquiries.

The 39-year-old woman, from the city, has been taken into custody.

Police raided her home and the nursery.

Both the Little Teds Day Care Unit in Laira and the woman's home address in Efford were searched "early this morning", the force confirmed.

A spokesman said: "Items have been seized in connection with the ongoing inquiry and will be subject to further examination.

"The nursery will be closed while police carry out their inquiries.

"Police will keep parents of any children who attend the nursery updated as to the progress of the inquiry."

Plymouth City Council's children's services department is helping police with the investigation.

Acting on a tip-off received at about 9pm, officers arrested the woman just before midnight on Monday.

Specialist detectives are now trying to establish where the allegedly indecent images came from.

Chief Superintendent Jim Webster, head of Plymouth police, said: "Of course it is a concern to all of us that she worked in a nursery.

"Our work today is to find out what has happened, where the images have come from, where they have been sent to, and any risk to anybody in Plymouth."

Police are working through the Little Teds register to ensure they make contact with all parents of youngsters at the nursery.

People arriving at the nursery to drop off children this morning were handed a letter explaining what had happened.

Mum Anna Hambly, whose three-year-old son Declan attends the unit, told The Plymouth Herald: "I'm quite disgusted. This is a really nice nursery.

"It’s worrying, especially when it’s on your own nursery.

"I was given a letter and told the unit should reopen tomorrow but I'm having second thoughts [about using it]."

:: Parents with concerns can call Devon and Cornwall Police on 08452 777 444.

Appalling!!! Disgusting that this could've happened. I work with children on a regular basis and had to be police checked. I hope the dirty Bastard goes to prison.

It is shocking, too, that this was a woman!

5:24pm UK, Wednesday June 10, 2009

A nursery worker has been charged with sexual assault and the distribution of indecent images of children.


Arrested nursery worker Vanessa George and Little Teds



Vanessa George, 39, was arrested on Monday after police swooped on her home in Efford, Plymouth, and at the Little Ted's nursery.

She has now been charged with seven offences including sexual assault and making and distributing indecent images of children.

Acting Det Chief Supt Russ Middleton of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary told Sky News of the scale of the inquiry.

"We have specially trained officers looking at the images and there are a large number of images and many, many more can be identified.

"We have seized evidence and there will be more invest to carry on over the coming days and weeks."

The detective confirmed a cameraphone with undated photos was central to the investigation but admitted that additional equipment now needs examination.

No children have yet been identified and some photos are of torsos, making identification difficult.

Police revealed that images discovered range from Level 1 to Level 4 - only one level below the most serious classification.

"The starting point is a camera but we also have things such as computer and laptops to examine, but I do not want to go into details," he told Sky News.

Little Ted's, which caters for children from around 95 families.

Local authorities are helping with the relocation of day-care facilities for children elsewhere in Plymouth.

Police confirmed their investigation was focused on the alleged exchange of material between George and Colin Blanchard, 38, from Littleborough, near Rochdale.

Blanchard was yesterday charged with possession and distribution of indecent images, some of which they believe were taken at an undisclosed location within Little Ted's nursery in Laira.

Bromwen Lacey, Director of Services for Children andYoung People at Plymouth City Council, revealed that social services have cranked up facilities for both children and families of those at Little Ted's.

"NHS Plymouth is working for the right support for individual needs of the children and their families," she said.

"Mental health services for children and adults are being geared up if they are needed."


I feel sick. I can't believe this. I am never ever bringing my son back

Parent of toddler at Plymouth nursery

Sky News correspondent Katie Stallard said George had been a child care worker since at least 1998, and had been at Little Ted's for the last three years.

Chief Superintendent Jim Webster, head of Plymouth police, said they received information from Greater Manchester Police late at night and immediately went into action.

"Information came through from Manchester Police, it was received at 9pm and it was clear from outset there needed to be an immediate response," he said.



Police outside nursery

Worried parents dropping children off at the nursery on Tuesday were handed letters explaining that a staff member has been arrested and it was closed.

On Tuesday night a public meeting was held for families with children attending the nursery.

"Last night we gave them information that was quite shocking," Chief Supt Webster said.

"We were able to tell the parents there no planned date to reopen [Little Ted's]."

He added:"We need to discuss with Ofsted when the nursery can reopen...when and if it will reopen."

Sick bitch!

Pabby wrote:Sick bitch!

Let's hope she'll soon be a beaten and bloody "sick bitch".......