Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
MAGGIE OLIVER
Scottish Daily Express
|February 23, 2026
I REMEMBER the first time I saw a Child Abduction Warning Notice used in place of real action.
-
It was in 2005. On paper, a CAWN sounds decisive - a formal warning issued to an adult who is associating with a child when there are safeguarding concerns.
In reality, I saw them deployed as a bureaucratic shield. A piece of paper instead of a prosecution. A warning instead of an arrest.
A CAWN is not a criminal charge.
It carries no immediate legal consequence. It is meant to disrupt risk. But in effect, it becomes the end of the story rather than the beginning of an investigation.
Files are marked as "action taken". Supervisors are reassured.
Cases closed. Statistics looking "tidier". Meanwhile, children remain in danger.
This story is from the February 23, 2026 edition of Scottish Daily Express.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Scottish Daily Express
Scottish Daily Express
MARTIN IS LEFT VAR FROM HAPPY
CELTIC manager Martin O'Neill felt he received a \"strange\" explanation for why his team did not get a penalty during their 2-1 defeat to Hibernian yesterday.
2 mins
February 23, 2026
Scottish Daily Express
'You're once, twice, tree times a lady'
CHIMPANZEES flirt by ripping up leaves in front of their crush, according to an expert.
1 min
February 23, 2026
Scottish Daily Express
GERS PUT IN A SPOT
Rohl raging as late 'clear foul' ignored by ref
2 mins
February 23, 2026
Scottish Daily Express
Water way to treat your car
A DAD fitted a 5ft snorkel to his car to turn it into an amphibious vehicle.
1 min
February 23, 2026
Scottish Daily Express
Fergie holed up in the world's costliest clinic
SARAH Ferguson reportedly checked into the world's most expensive wellness clinic amid the Epstein sex abuse scandal.
1 min
February 23, 2026
Scottish Daily Express
World Cup's thrills and spills are going into extra time...
FOR once, some genuinely good news for Britain's battered pubs.
1 min
February 23, 2026
Scottish Daily Express
India blown away as Proteas make statement
SOUTH AFRICA thrashed tournament favourites India to lay down a serious marker at the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad.
1 min
February 23, 2026
Scottish Daily Express
REDS BOSS SEARCH A CHALLENGE
ABERDEEN Chairman Dave Cormack has admitted to a delay in the appointment of the next Reds manager due \"unforeseen circumstances\".
1 min
February 23, 2026
Scottish Daily Express
Red carpet delight as the stars shine bright
THERE was no shortage of drama on the Baftas red carpet yesterday as stars dialled up the glamour for the biggest night in British film.
1 min
February 23, 2026
Scottish Daily Express
HUGHES DOES IT FOR USA
JACK HUGHES fired himself into US sports folklore to win Olympic ice hockey gold and settle a bad-tempered neighbourly spat.
1 min
February 23, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size