Spy pups warning over porn website

A popular children’s book series has been pulled from shelves across Cheshire East after a web address printed inside was found to lead to pornographic material.
Safeguarding emails were sent out from schools and libraries last week to warn parents that a web link – on the back page of the “Spy Dogs, Spy Cats and Spy Pups” series by Andrew Cope – no longer led to information about the books.
An email from Juliet Jones, headteacher at Excalibur Primary School in Alsager, said: “The link has been compromised and now leads to inappropriate and unsafe material, containing pornographic content with no age restrictions.
“We have removed copies of the book from our school library and classroom book corners. Should you have any at home, we advise you remove them immediately.”
She added: “Should any be property of the school, please return them and we will dispose of them accordingly.”
A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: “Since becoming aware of this, we have taken steps to remove all copies from our libraries and ensure that any copies currently on loan will not be put back onto our shelves once returned to us.
“We are also informing customers who have the books out on loan.”
In a joint statement, Andrew Cope and Puffin Books said: “In some editions of the ‘Spy Dog, Spy Cat and Spy Pups’ series, there is a reference to the author Andrew Cope’s former website for the series, which was owned and managed by him.
“We understand an unconnected third party has very recently taken control of the domain name and is using it to display a different website with inappropriate adult content.
“This website is not associated with Puffin or Andrew Cope. We are asking people not to visit the website and to ensure that children do not visit it either.”
They continued: “We are taking this extremely seriously and are acting on this issue as a matter of urgency through the appropriate channels to get this website removed.
“This is an in-depth and complex legal process and will take time. In addition, we have immediately paused the sale and distribution of the books while we deal with this matter.
“We are currently working with retail, education and library partners to remove the books from shelves for the time being. We are asking anyone who has copies of these titles to temporarily remove them from their shelves.”