Daily roundup 4 December: Prisoners, Oxfordshire, and smoking ban

Thousands of children are being denied visiting rights to see their fathers in prison because of changes to the prison discipline system, it has been claimed. The Guardian reports that a study by children’s charity Barnardo’s found that changes to the way incentives and privileges are earned mean that prison visits are being used as a way to enforce discipline.


Children in Oxfordshire are being put at risk because of rising caseloads of social workers dealing with vulnerable young people, it has been claimed. The BBC reports that Oxfordshire County Council said that the number of children requiring protection plans rose from 263 to 572 over the past five years but the number of full-time social workers only increased from 179 to 200 over the same period.


Smoking has been banned in play parks in Edinburgh. The Scotsman reports that the city’s new “smoke free policy” also prohibits smoking in car parks, courtyards and council premises.


Children today are physically weaker than previous generations because of their constant use of mobile phones and tablet computers, a head teacher has warned. The Telegraph reports that Bob Drew, of Grearies primary school, in Ilford, London, has installed an outdoor trail where students can do press ups.


Businesses, schools and taxi firms in Croydon are being urged to be the "eyes and ears" for reporting potential cases of child sexual exploitation in the borough. The move follows a study that found young people under the age of 18 may be exploited in their peer groups without realising, with many affected in the north of the borough, reports The Croydon Advertiser.