More arrested for looking at indecent child images online

THE number of people arrested for looking at indecent images of children online has increased following a multiagency operation to tackle the problem.

Launched in 2016 by all four Welsh police forces and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, Operation NetSafe aims to deal with the threat, risk and harm posed by online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

So far the operation has resulted in 486 warrants being executed, 339 arrests being made and more than 2,000 devices seized. There has also been an increase in the number of people seeking confidential help from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation to stop accessing indecent images of children.

Around 1,350 people from Wales have visited the charity’s online selfhelp resources or called the Stop It Now confidential helpline, seeking help for their own behaviour, making a 50% increase in the number of people receiving help.

South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Jon Drake, the all-Wales lead for child sexual exploitation, said: “Protecting vulnerable people of all ages is our number-one priority and Operation NetSafe has safeguarded dozens of children, many of whom have suffered the most appalling sexual abuse.

“I would urge anyone thinking of accessing these images to seek help via the Stop It Now website or helpline or risk having us turn up at your door. As well as having to register as a sex offender, prosecution often leads to offenders losing their liberty, their job, their friends and, more importantly, their family.”