Two paedophiles are put behind bars

Abdi Shire and Adean Ahmed both thought they were arranging to 'hook-up' with young girls in Birmingham but instead were met by West Midlands Police officers.

Detectives discovered Shire, from Small Heath, Birmingham, had asked to meet a girl aged just 13 for adult services on July 23 last year.

Police discovered the 64-year-old wanted to meet the youngster two days later and had agreed a price for sex.

The meeting never happened and officers arrested him from his home address in the early hours of August 12.

Detectives received intelligence that Ahmed, from Edgbaston, Birmingham, had asked “Do you have any 12?” and “Is there anything like 10?” in clear references to the age of girls he intended to abuse.

Ahmed, aged 24, was arrested in Birmingham on November 18 last year after being intercepted by the officers.

Shire admitted arranging the commission of a child sex offence and at Birmingham Crown Court on February 4 and was jailed for three years and two months.

Ahmed appeared at the same court on January 9 when he was jailed for three years.

Both men – who are unconnected – have also been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

The team behind the arrests is active on social media, instant messaging apps and other online platforms looking for people seeking to groom children online − and to intercept them before they’re able to meet youngsters.

Swift justice

Detective Inspector Lewis Cook, from the West Midlands Police Force Priorities & Vulnerabilities Team, said: “We’ve delivered swift justice against these two men: both are already now behind bars serving significant prison sentences.

“Both men had clear intentions to meet and abuse girls – and in Ahmed’s case he enquired about girls as young as 10.

“Vigilante ‘paedophile hunter’ groups have emerged in recent times and there seems to be a perception police are not doing this work − but that’s absolutely not the case.

“We’ve been active online, working alongside social media providers, and protecting children for many years. This is the latest success for the team and I’m very proud of their continued efforts to protect children across the region.”

Under an operation called Project Atari – which launched in 2017 – the team has worked with colleagues in the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) to arrest around 300 believed to be trying to groom children over the internet.

Detective Inspector Cook said his team are continually looking for new opportunities to snare online sex predators.

He added: “We want to create an environment of disruption, fear and apprehension amongst people who operate online to sexually abuse children.

“But everyone has a role to play. We’d ask parents to be intrusive in their children’s online activity. Do you know who they are talking to? And if anyone has suspicions that a child is being groomed then please contact the police.

“And if anyone is concerned about someone’s online behaviour, or suspects they are grooming children, then please get in touch so we can investigate."

For more information search online grooming on West Midlands Police's website, or message the force through Live Chat at WMP Online or call 101.