24/11/2011 BBC Channel Islands News

Children in the Channel Islands could soon be protected from

accessing pornographic and violent websites on mobile phones. The

Telecoms Regulatory Authority is stepping in to ask mobile operators

to bring in safeguards. I comes after the BBC revealed early this

week that unlike in the UK, there is no voluntary code of practise to

offer free internet filters to stop children accessing inappropriate

websites. In a moment we will hear what is going to be done, but first

a report on why phone operators are failing to protect our children.

They are devices that have changed the way we use our mobile phones.

From calling... To texting... To even watching programmes on the

internet. And for many children, and teenagers in the Channel

Islands, having a smartphone is now just a way of life. In the UK,

violent and pornographic websites can be filtered from smartphones

like this one. Here in the Channel Islands though, that is not the

case. Safety bosses here who promote the safe use of the

internet among youngsters say that is just not good enough. Child

safeguarding is a crucial issue and they are ducking spare social

responsibility they know about the UK policies, the E. Initiatives and

they have decided not do in in Jersey. Mobile phone operators here

say it is not that easy. The three main providers say it is not simple

to manage and could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. Christmas

is round the corner, and these phones will be on the wish list of

many teenagers round the islands. Now there is growing pressure on

the industry to do more to protect our children. Well, it is the

regulator that sets the rules and earlier I was joined by John Curran

who heads up the Jersel Competition Regulatory Authority and the

GUernsey Office of Utility Regulation. As a result of the BBC

story this week, he is getting involved in the issue and agreed

something should be done. I started by asking him why children in the

Channel Islands aren't as protected in the UK. This is a industry

initiative from the mobile operators to put in place the types

of of controls they have there. What we have interested ining is

have a conversation to ee what measures can be put in place.

it shameful you have to do it, you can't do it voluntary like in the

UK. From the regulars -- regular fors this isn't our area but we

have the contct with the mobile operators which we operate across

the island so we are happy to take the lead on having the discussion,

with the mobile operators and the relevant agencys to look at

addressing this issue. How likely are we to see movement in a short

period of time We want to to the relevant agencies to understand

what they would like to see in place, then we will have a

conversation with the operators to see if we the meet their needs.

agree there is a ned to protect the children in the Channel Islands?

don't think anyone would disagree having in place controls that

prevent children accessing sites that are unsuitable is an important

issue. When will this happen? will look to have a conversation in

the next couple of weeks, and hopefully as soon as possible,

after that with the mobile operators. You would soon be able

to choose which company provides your home phone line. The Telecom

watchdog is for for views on whether fixed line competition

should be opened up. You will be able to get a home telephone from

any of the operators and not just JT or Cable and Wireless in

Guernsey. They expect to Mick a decision by next spring. Public

money is being used to pay for private security firm to patrol

Jersey's new Town Park at night. Concerns have been raised by

residents about soeb at the park. Transport and technical services

say there has been some vandalism so security guards will patrol at

night for two weeks from 5pm until midnight. The extra cost will come

from existing budgets. Guernsey's Beau Sejour Leisure Centre

continues to make a loss and the financial situation shows no sign

of improving in the near future. A deficit of �800,000 is expected at

the facility next year, up round �60,000 on 2011. Increasing staff

and energy costs are one tack for by given the economic situation, it

is been conservative when predicting next year's income. A

system that brings criminals face to face with their victims is being

further developed in Guernsey. The States voted to continue to fund

restorative justice. Coming face to face with one of the most

terrifying people in their lives. For some victims of crime the

thought of meeting the person that subjected them to such a painful

experience could seem too much. But the aim of restorative just cities

to bring the victim and perpetrator together to help the victim explain

how it affected their life and to bring them closure. Victims tend to

be left out of any criminal justice process. This allows them to have a

voice. It gives victims a voice. They are the most affected but the

least involved. So that really, my experience of seeing people, seeing

victims come alive and having their questions answered and being felt

as though they, they were a person that, you know, someone believed in

in them, gave nem a chance to have their say. Restorative justice is

being used in schools and prisons and the home department is

considering incorporating it into the justice system. Its main aim to

give victims a voice, while also helping to lower the rate of

reoffending. What we are doing is wanting anybody who has been the

victim of any harm or crime, you know, hopefully pretty soon they

will have a chance and opportunity to engage in some kind of

restorative process to bring some heeling and enable them to move

forward. It doesn't work or help every time, but it is something the

States feels can go a long way to help victims repair their lives and

move forward in a positive way. Now, next tonight, and this week,

children in Alderney have been learning about the birds and the

trees. They have been taking part in ambitious project organised by

the Alderney Wildlife Trust to plant 3,000 trees in a week. Our

reporter donned his boots and went to find out what they were up to.

Throughout this week groups of school-children from St Anne's and

Ormer House have been planting saplings as part of the largest

tree planting session the Channel Islands has ever seen. It is all

part of the Alderney Community Woodland project. The woodland is

for them, really. I think long after I'm gone it will still be

here for them. I we explained it will be here for their children as

we it is important, because it means they are learning about

something they wouldn't necessarily be learning about as something of

the curriculum. There are important lessons to be learned.

surprising how many people don't know the difference between the

trees and certainly couldn't draw me an oak leaf. Now they all can,

which is wonderful. Amazingly two groups of children planted over

1,000 trees in one day. It is really fun and it is a bit hard.

is fun to plant the tree, because it is quite hard work. It makes you

sweat. I didn't really think I would join it but I am enjoying it.

Work on the Alderney Community Woodland started last year, when 90

volunteers planted 1500 trees in just three days. This year, the

target is 3,000 trees in a week. is a mammoth amount of trees. The

only way we can do is is with the help of the community. We hope the

volunteers can get behind us and dedicate as much time as possible.

With the kids are already doing. bet they retired when they get

home! Saturday is the turn of the big boys and girls to show what

they can do, if you fancy some fresh air turn up at Le Rochers.

Well, what is the weather going to do? Will it be sunny? Here is David

do? Will it be sunny? Here is David to tell us. Hello. Good evening. I

think we are going see some patchy rain arrive in the islands later on

tonight. Perhaps not enough rain for those islands that need it. But

some rain nonetheless and becoming breezy for a while and the front

lingers first thing before clearing out of way. It is this cold front.

It does just that. It introduces colder air as it moves through,

there it is at midday, finally moving into northern France and for

the start of the weekend we have high pressure back, south-west

winds and a lot of dry weather as well. And relatively mild too.

Milder than last night w the cloud and the breeze, we won't see

temperatures fall much below ten or 11. Here comes that patchy rain.

Not a great deal of wet weather but rain will arrive in the middle of

the night and extend through to the morning. Wind are south-westerly

and they will bah back southerly as the rain bands comes in. As the

rain bands clears, the winds become north-west and north-westerly. A

pleasant day tomorrow. Temperatures up to 12, possibly 13, the winds

slowly dropping through the afternoon. So for the coastal

waters forecast the winds initially from the south-west soon veering

north-westerly, force four or five. Patchy rain in the morning and

becoming mainly fair from mid- morning on wards. Times of high

Messy surf. The forecast for Saturday is bright and dry, Sunday

though, we have the remnants of another band of overnight rain. So

the risk of showery rain in the morning before it brightens up,

westerly winds, and Monday at the moment is dry, but rather cloudy.

And increasingly breezy with southerly winds setting in. Typical

Now, finally the top prize in the Channel Islands Christmas lottery

has risen to well over �500,000. This year there are three top

prizes. The first prize is �650,000. The proceeds of course go to