ConCErn ovEr risE in inDECEnt imAgE offEnCEs

The number of indecent images of children offences investigated by Cambridgeshire police has more than doubled in three years. The figures, revealed by the NSPCC show that in theCambridgeshire there wereatotal of 59indecentimagesoffences recordedin2013, increasingto 142 in 2015.

Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said: “These figures clearly show that there is a growing problem of people viewing child abuse material and more needs to be done to tackle the issue.

“Wewanttoseecompanies who operate online prioritise this issue by committing significant expertise and resources into preventing the publication and distribution of these images.”

Meanwhile, theNSPCChas expressed concern that the significant number of children reported to police for indecent images offences may include youngsters who have shared naked ‘selfies’.

The charity recently published researchwhichshowed that only half of parents knew that children taking andsending naked pictures of themselves was illegal, whilst two out of fiveparentsfeared their children might be involved in ‘sexting.’

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Sloan, from Cambridgeshire police said: “We have identified a concerning growing level of indecent images and vulnerable victims at the centre of these productions.

“We have a dedicated Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) who use advanced technical systems to identify those possessing and sharing these images and bring offenders to justice.”

Parents can get advice on how to keep children safe online from the O2 and NSPCC online safety helpline on0808 8005002.