Menu
28/04/2010
2m Images Circulated By Paedophile Group
The amount of indecent images of children circulated on the internet by just 100 sex offenders convicted in the last 20 months would cover a football pitch twice, it has been revealed.
The NSPCC investigation revealed that over two million images and videos were circulated.
In the shocking statement the children's charity said that the "alarming" haul was enough to cover the football pitch at Wembley Stadium twice over and this was "just a sample".
One in four of the offenders held a "position of trust" allowing them direct contact with children, the study revealed.
These included teachers, school workers, clergymen, medical professionals, police officers and a social worker.
Nearly 50,000 photographs and videos confiscated were in the most serious categories of abuse, with some showing children and babies being raped by adults.
A third of those involved were reported to have used peer-to-peer file-sharing.
The children's charity said sex offenders were using the software - which eliminates the need for a server or host - to stay "under the radar" and called on the next government to help combat it.
The two million photographs seized by police - some of which could be repeats of the same image - showed the "battle was far from won" on the issue, said the NSPCC's Diana Sutton.
Although a snapshot, the charity said it was the first time the number of online child abuse images being distributed had been counted in this way.
Each case included in the study resulted in criminal convictions.
The study showed 10% of those convicted had been hoarding child abuse images for five years or more before they were caught.
A third of offenders involved in the court hearings had shared files or distributed pictures of child sex abuse online.
One in six had a conviction for sexually assaulting or grooming a child for sex.
"Recent years have seen some welcome measures in the UK to drive child abuse images from the internet," said Ms Sutton.
The NSPCC is now calling on the next government to work with industry and law enforcement agencies on an action plan to combat peer-to-peer file sharing.
Ms Sutton said: "Making the internet safer for children should be a priority for all Parliamentary candidates during the General Election campaign."
(LB/GK)
The NSPCC investigation revealed that over two million images and videos were circulated.
In the shocking statement the children's charity said that the "alarming" haul was enough to cover the football pitch at Wembley Stadium twice over and this was "just a sample".
One in four of the offenders held a "position of trust" allowing them direct contact with children, the study revealed.
These included teachers, school workers, clergymen, medical professionals, police officers and a social worker.
Nearly 50,000 photographs and videos confiscated were in the most serious categories of abuse, with some showing children and babies being raped by adults.
A third of those involved were reported to have used peer-to-peer file-sharing.
The children's charity said sex offenders were using the software - which eliminates the need for a server or host - to stay "under the radar" and called on the next government to help combat it.
The two million photographs seized by police - some of which could be repeats of the same image - showed the "battle was far from won" on the issue, said the NSPCC's Diana Sutton.
Although a snapshot, the charity said it was the first time the number of online child abuse images being distributed had been counted in this way.
Each case included in the study resulted in criminal convictions.
The study showed 10% of those convicted had been hoarding child abuse images for five years or more before they were caught.
A third of offenders involved in the court hearings had shared files or distributed pictures of child sex abuse online.
One in six had a conviction for sexually assaulting or grooming a child for sex.
"Recent years have seen some welcome measures in the UK to drive child abuse images from the internet," said Ms Sutton.
The NSPCC is now calling on the next government to work with industry and law enforcement agencies on an action plan to combat peer-to-peer file sharing.
Ms Sutton said: "Making the internet safer for children should be a priority for all Parliamentary candidates during the General Election campaign."
(LB/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 July 2012
18 Month Sentence For Child Pornography
A man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for offences relating to indecent images of children. Adrian White admitted 23 counts of making or possessing indecent images and four counts of distributing them. Exeter Crown Court heard how the 52-year-old used the alias "Mr Grippy" when he exchanged extreme images to fellow paedophiles.
18 Month Sentence For Child Pornography
A man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for offences relating to indecent images of children. Adrian White admitted 23 counts of making or possessing indecent images and four counts of distributing them. Exeter Crown Court heard how the 52-year-old used the alias "Mr Grippy" when he exchanged extreme images to fellow paedophiles.
25 September 2015
25 Arrests Made In NCA Child Abuse Investigation
Thirty two children in Northern Ireland have been "safeguarded and protected" in a joint operation between the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
25 Arrests Made In NCA Child Abuse Investigation
Thirty two children in Northern Ireland have been "safeguarded and protected" in a joint operation between the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
14 June 2012
Report Warns Of Link Between Internet Use And Child Abuse
A specialist police child protection unit has warned that people who download child abuse images pose a risk of committing sex attacks on children. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) centre wants police to prioritise those caught with such images, who have access to children.
Report Warns Of Link Between Internet Use And Child Abuse
A specialist police child protection unit has warned that people who download child abuse images pose a risk of committing sex attacks on children. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) centre wants police to prioritise those caught with such images, who have access to children.
12 January 2004
Internet to blame for rise in child abuse, says study
The widespread use of the internet is to blame for a 1,500% rise in child pornography convictions in the UK since 1988, according to a leading children's charity.
Internet to blame for rise in child abuse, says study
The widespread use of the internet is to blame for a 1,500% rise in child pornography convictions in the UK since 1988, according to a leading children's charity.
16 October 2015
Kent Police Investigative 'Tool' Rolled Out Across EU
A "tool" developed by Kent Police and the University of Liverpool, which assesses the level of risk posed by a suspected paedophile and the likelihood of that person becoming a contact offender, is to be developed for use across Europe.
Kent Police Investigative 'Tool' Rolled Out Across EU
A "tool" developed by Kent Police and the University of Liverpool, which assesses the level of risk posed by a suspected paedophile and the likelihood of that person becoming a contact offender, is to be developed for use across Europe.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few fog patches at first, soon clearing to leave a dry day with some patchy cloud and good sunny spells. Light and variable winds. Feeling mild in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
