Published: Wednesday, 28th July, 2010 2:09pm

Central Fife MP backs credit card crackdown on child porn access

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CENTRAL FIFE MP Lindsay Roy is supporting a move to penalise credit card companies who enable the downloading of child pornography.

He also wants control to identify purchasers of 'instant' credit cards.

Mr Roy said, "Such cards are easily available from local retailers without providing details of the user's name and address.

"These pre-paid cards are available to adults and children for £100 a time at service stations and high street retailers. No proof of identity is required.

"When more credit is needed, it's just a matter of buying more £100 cards to pay for more and more abuse.

"All the buyer has to do is enter any name and address on the website and they are free to prowl these obnoxious sites. As a result, images of child abuse may be downloaded anonymously.

"Let's not forget that behind every pornographic image of a child, is a youngster who has been abused.

The new Bill would introduce fines for card companies which facilitate access to these abuse sites.

It would also insist on proof of identity and address to buy pre-paid credit cards. Passport, birth certificate, and a utility bill would be a minimum requirement.

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To read the full story see this week's edition of the Central Fife Times