43 arrested for indecent images offences

MORE than 40 suspects have been arrested in south Wales since November for offences involving viewing and sharing indecent images of children.

The figures – which officers say highlight the “shocking scale” of the issue in Wales – were revealed as police, the Welsh Government and a child protection charity met to tackle the problem.

A helpline set up for those in Wales seeking confidential advice, called Stop it Now! was visited by 3,699 people over the last month – an increase of 226% on the previous twomonth period.

South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Drake, all-Wales police lead for child sexual exploitation, said: “Like elsewhere in the UK, the scale of the problem in Wales is both shocking and saddening.

“This conference will help us ensure that the combined efforts of police, local government, national government and the third sector is as effective as possible in keeping children safe and bringing offenders to justice.”

The conference, Together Tackling Online Child Sexual Exploitation, held yesterday at the Principality Stadium, came ahead of the national STOP National Child Exploitation Awareness Day on Saturday.

It brought together representatives from Welsh Government, South Wales Police, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales and child protection charity The Lucy Faithfull Foundation to raise awareness.

According to police, 43 arrests have been made in South Wales since Operation Net Safe was launched, with even more reported across the rest of Wales.

Donald Findlater, safeguarding consultant at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, said: “Too many people seem to think that it is all right to view sexual images of under-18s online.

“They may do this as part of an adult pornography habit; or they may have an established sexual interest in children that needs addressing urgently. But whatever the reason, they need to stop and stay stopped.

“In our work with those arrested for such viewing and sharing sexual images of children online, we often hear that they did not think they were doing any harm. But the reality is that the children in the images were typically abused when the image was first taken; and they are re-abused every time that image is viewed.

“Those offending online must not bury their heads in the sand. That knock on the door will come if they do not stop their illegal behaviour.”