UK-wide operation snares 660 suspected paedophiles

More than 400 children across the UK have been safeguarded.

Some of those arrested had unsupervised access to children in the course of their work. They include doctors, teachers, scout leaders, care workers and former police officers.

Of the 660, 39 people were Registered Sex Offenders but the majority of those arrested had not previously come to law enforcement’s attention.

The operation targeted people accessing indecent images of children online. It has stayed covert till today in order to protect children, identify offenders and secure evidence. The NCA and its partners are not revealing the methods they used to track down suspects so that they can use the same tactics again in the future.

Charging decisions are awaited in most cases but so far charges brought range from possessing indecent images of children to serious sexual assault.

NCA Deputy Director General Phil Gormley said:

“This is the first time the UK has had the capability to coordinate a single targeted operation of this nature. Over the past six months we have seen unprecedented levels of cooperation to deliver this result.

“Our aim was to protect children who were victims of, or might be at risk of, sexual exploitation. A child is victimised not only when they are abused and an image is taken. They are re-victimised every time that image is viewed by someone.

“Some of the people who start by accessing indecent images online go on to abuse children directly. So the operation is not only about catching people who have already offended – it is about influencing potential offenders before they cross that line.

“We want those offenders to know that the internet is not a safe anonymous space for accessing indecent images, that they leave a digital footprint, and that law enforcement will find it”.

Chief Constable Simon Bailey, the National Policing Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigations, said:

“Sexual abuse is a complex crime taking many forms. The vast majority of forces around England and Wales are dealing with an unprecedented increase in the number of reports of sexual abuse of children. Forces are investigating exploitation of children and young people by groups and gangs, non-recent abuse including large scale investigations into abuse in institutions over many years and sexual abuse by parents and family members.

“During this operation, we’ve targeted offenders accessing child abuse images. Police must continue to use a range of investigative techniques targeting all forms of abuse if we going to protect children and bring offenders to justice. Chief officers are committed using all the tools available to them because nothing is more important in policing than protecting vulnerable people”.

If you have concerns about a child or young person, or if you are a child or young person and someone has asked you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable either on or offline, you can report through the CEOP safety centre at www.ceop.police.uk

CEOP's Thinkuknow programme provides information for children, young people, parents and carers about staying safe online and preventing sexual abuse and exploitation. Parents and carers can visit www.thinkuknow.co.uk for advice on keeping their children safe.

If you are a child and you want to speak to someone in confidence about any issue that is upsetting you, you can contact ChildLine on 0800 1111 or go to www.childline.org.uk to chat to a counsellor in confidence.

If you are an adult and you have concerns about a child you can speak to the NSPCC adult helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk

If you have a real emergency or need immediate help you should call 999 or contact your local police.

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is a registered child protection charity dedicated to reducing the risk of children being sexually abused. It works with entire families affected by sexual abuse, including adult male and female sexual abusers, young people with inappropriate sexual behaviours, victims of abuse, and other family members. More information for adults concerned about their own behaviour, or that of someone they know, is available at www.stopitnow.org.uk/. More information for parents is available at www.parentsprotect.co.uk/.

Case studies:

Case A

Two men were arrested and numerous computer and mobile phones were seized. One of the men, a doctor, was interviewed, charged and remanded in custody. A search of his vehicle found rope and sex aids in the boot. Digital forensic examinations are ongoing but over a million indecent images of children have already been discovered. There is also evidence of the suspect communicating and meeting with boys. The suspect remains on remand in custody whilst investigations progress.

Case B

A suspect admitted in interview that he has been viewing indecent images of children for 30 years since the age of 16. He disclosed that he travels to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand for sexual purposes. Enquiries have confirmed that he regularly visits these countries. This is being progressed by the NCA Tracker Team so that he is highlighted as a risk to children overseas.

Case C

An identified offender confessed that he was a member of an online group. Another member of the group shared films in which he abused a child. The films have been reviewed and found to focus on the most severe form of abuse against very young children. Investigations remain ongoing.

Case D

A registered violent and sexual offender with an impending charge of the rape of a girl under 13 years old was arrested. Further offences of possession of indecent images of children have now been introduced into the case after seizing his computer. A wide range of images was found, from erotic posing through to the most severe forms of abuse.

Case E

A warrant was executed at an address where a suspect was discovered with access to 17 grandchildren, two of whom had previously disclosed abuse by their grandfather. Suspect remanded into custody.

Case F

A foster carer, with no previous convictions or allegations of offending, was arrested. At the time of arrest, he was caring for an autistic 12 year old who has now been protected. Four computers and one phone have been seized for forensic examination. The suspect has since attempted serious self harm. The investigation is ongoing.

National statistics:

All statistics are accurate as at 12.00 on Friday 11 July 2014. Operational activity is ongoing and these figures are expected to increase.

Children Safeguarded and Protected

Arrests of Registered Sex Offenders

Arrests

Premises Searched

Devices Examined

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk