Eight Children taken into care.

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http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/children-taken-care/article-714504-detail/article.htm

Friday, February 20, 2009, 09:47

EIGHT children and a woman were taken into the care of social workers by police wearing riot gear because of growing concern for their welfare. Twenty police officers in body armour and carrying Taser guns were called out to the house in Torquay shortly before lunchtime yesterday.They were joined by 10 social services officers from

Torbay Council who took the children, aged 15 and under into care, along with a woman.One man was also taken to Torquay police station where he is understood to be helping officers with their inquiries.Sgt Jacqui Rees, who led the joint social service and police operation, said: "The eight children and the woman are now under the care of the social services.
"The man is helping us with our inquiry."We had this joint operation with the social services because of concerns for the welfare of the children and the woman."It is understood some of the children may not have been attending school.

Sgt Rees said the officers attended the address while wearing body armour and carrying Tasers because of fears friends of the man in the neighbourhood may oppose the removal of the children and cause trouble. She added: "There were concerns for the safety of our officers."Police officers later took off their riot gear at the request of the social services because 'it might scare the children'. A police spokesman confirmed the operation was at the request of Torbay Council's social services. Sgt Steve Blair, head of the child protection team with Torbay police, added it was a sensitive operation and police were only there 'to add the weight of the law and make it happen'. He added: "We were asked to assist the social services in obtaining their objectives which was to ensure that these children were removed to a safe place, which is where they remain."

Torbay Council's people commissioner Carol Tozer or is it (Taser) said: "Torbay Council considers the safety of children as our paramount concern."We continue to work very hard to protect vulnerable children in the area and liaise closely with the police and other partners to ensure their safety."