A week of action by police in Cumbria saw five warrants conducted, 29 devices seized and three people charged with making indecent images of children.
Following a week of intensification by Cumbria Constabulary’s, Cyber and digital crime unit, the following results have been achieved:
- Five positive warrants conducted. All in relation to alleged making indecent images of children offences.
- Investigations are ongoing.
- 29 devices seized
- Seven children have been safeguarded
- One arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children.
- The suspect remains under investigation.
- Three people have been charged with making indecent images of children.
- Two compliance visit in relation to a Criminal Behaviour Order previously granted following conviction. This activity was supported by the North West Regional Crime Unit
- Six Cease and Desist notices were handed out, this action was in partnership with the North West Regional Crime Unit.
The actions took place at various locations around the county.
The activity forms part of Operation MOVIE 2, the constabulary’s vulnerability campaign. The campaign provides an insight for the public, on the unseen policing work the constabulary undertake every day, to keep vulnerable people safe in the community.
This week of action highlights areas of work the cyber and digital crime unit undertake to target offenders linked to online abuse images – and those involved should take note.
Inspector Ian Harwood leads the unit
He said: “Our specialist officers are continuing their proactive work, often unseen, to deal with online offending and to help and safeguard those who are exploited.
“This is a dedicated unit staffed with officers trained and skilled to specifically deal with these type of offences – and I can reassure the people of Cumbria that the team is working tirelessly behind-the-scenes to keep children and other vulnerable people safe, as well as track down anyone exploiting them.
“I would urge anybody out there involved in this type of activity to stop it now and seek help. If you don’t, you should expect a knock at your door from my team”.
In addition to the arrests, a total of 29 digital devices have been seized as part of investigations carried out last week.
DI Harwood added: “Tackling online crime and protecting young people is of the utmost importance to us.
“The way criminals who look to exploit children and vulnerable people operate has developed with the continuous advancement in technology.
“Many of the crimes we deal with are unseen to the public, with offenders using online technology to contact and groom their victims into sexual or criminal activity.
“This is happening behind closed doors, sometimes invisible to friends and family.
“I would urge people to familiarise themselves with and to monitor what their children and vulnerable adults are doing online – ask them questions and support them in using the internet positively.”
Detective Inspector Chris McClellan from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: “This week officers from our Dark Web Team were supporting Cumbria police with Operation MOVIE 2 by serving cease and desist notices to people we believe are operating illegally on the dark web.
“We were also out and about checking nominals were sticking to their Criminal Behaviour Order conditions.
“We’re committed to working with our regional forces to keep our young and vulnerable people safe online by targeting offenders who are looking to exploit them and bring them before the courts.”
Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “The cyber and digital crime unit has done a fantastic job.
“We were able to fund the cyber unit in 2019 with income raised from council tax precept.
“Since then the unit is making a significant difference to the lives of people in Cumbria.
“This is your council tax working for you to keep us all, especially our children and vulnerable people, safe from cybercriminals.
“With the world of technology constantly advancing, criminals are adapting to it – criminals are targeting vulnerable adults and children online which is why we need skilled officers tracking them online.
“It’s a clear message to criminals across the county operating behind closed doors: the police can still find and will catch you.”
SOME SIMPLE ADVICE:
Think about placing restriction settings on online devices. Find out more at www.thinkuknow.co.uk
- Explain to children that it’s easy for people to lie about age, gender, interests online – and children should never arrange to meet someone without an adult who they trust.
- Make sure children or young people know that once they share personal details online, including pictures, they lose control over where these may end up.
- Keep security settings on social media at high levels,
