Cops arrest 39 men in child sexual abuse drive
POLICE have arrested 39 men, ranging from 15 to 76 years old, after a taskforce was recently set up to tackle online child sexual abuse. In the first four weeks of operation, 37 arrests resulted in the recovery of material relating to online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Dozens of children were identified as being at risk or potentially at risk – and been protected.
Assistant Chief Constable Judi Heaton, lead for major crime, public protection and local crime, said: “Recorded crimes for online offending have risen substantially in line with our determined and recent proactive work to uncover this hidden criminality.
“Online offenders may think they are anonymous, and they may not comprehend the terrible, devastating, and lifelong impact their they have now actions have on children. But there is no excuse for their actions.
“Online images of child abuse and exploitation are not virtual, they show the very real abuse of a real child.
“We are determined to improve our response, invest in resources and latest technologies, to track down predators and abusers, and to make sure they face the full consequences of their actions.
“Tackling online child sex abuse requires a cross- partnership effort not only through enforcement but also on deterrence by means of offender programmes.”
From next week Police Scotland will run the next phase of its online child sexual abuse campaign # GetHelpOrGetCaught, which signposts offenders or potential offenders to Stop It Now! Scotland for help.
A total of 1036 online child sexual abuse crimes were recorded between April and September – a rise of 18.4% on the previous year.