Call for action over child images - The Worcester Observer

Call for action over child images

Worcester Editorial 26th Sep, 2016 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

NEW figures obtained by the NSPCC show there has been a 52 per cent rise in the number of offences involving indecent images of children reported to West Mercia Police.

The total number of offences reported to all 45 police forces across the UK has nearly tripled over the last three years, rising from 4,530 in 2013 to 10,818 in 2015. In West Mercia it rose from 69 in 2013 to 105 in 2015.

In 13 per cent of the 282 cases in West Mercia , the defendants were under 18.

A total of 38 children were among those reported to West Mercia Police for indecent images offences over the last three years. The total across England and Wales was 2,031.




This rise has led to the NSPCC calling for police to be given greater resources to tackle the growing threat, highlighting the responsibility of the UK’s digital industry in tackling the issue.

And the NSPCC is urging parents to talk to children about the risks of sharing nude selfies on mobile phones and social media as this may be partly fuelling the rise in offences by under-18s.


An NSPCC survey recently revealed only half of parents knew that children taking nude selfies were committing a crime.

However, among those children reported to the police may also be young people who have been found in possession of child abuse images.

Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said: “Over the last two decades, digital technology has fuelled an explosion in the production and consumption of child sexual abuse images which increasingly involves the streaming of live video.

“Committed leadership from government, and dedicated police operations have made a real difference.

“But the war on child abuse images is only just beginning.”

He added the Internet industry must prioritise the issue by using their expertise and working with the public and voluntary sector to find solutions and children must be educated about how to keep themselves online and offline and get help as soon as grooming or abuse happens.

“Every child who is the victim of exploitation and abuse should get the support they need to rebuild their lives.”

The NSPCC has teamed up with O2 to help parents keep their children safe from grooming and other risks.

Anyone needing advice on issues such as parental controls and privacy settings can get advice from the O2 & NSPCC online safety helpline on 0808 800 5002.

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