WARNING ON DALEK TORTURE
Children have been banned from buying the new Dr Who series because it shows cruelty to Daleks.
The British Board of Film Classification has ruled shops cannot sell videos or DVDs to children aged under 12.
The Dalek episode, which will be screened on television in June, shows the last Dalek in the universe imprisoned and chained by a billionaire.
He tortures it with drills and the Doctor taunts the defenceless Dalek, saying he has wiped out its race.
A spokesman for the film board told The Times: "However cross one might be with a Dalek, being cruel is not the way to deal with the issue.
"A good role model should not use torture to satisfy his desire for revenge.
"It is not an acceptable way to deal with problems of power."
Censors say the programme sets a bad example to children because it implies the only way to resolve disputes is through force and cruelty.
The Dalek eventually kills itself after acquiring human traits.
The board's DVD 12 certificate allows for "sustained, moderate threat and menace. Occasional gory moments only".
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