People who access online child sex abuse have been targeted by Cumbria police.
The constabulary’s cyber and digital crime unit said it had conducted a number of warrants in the last few weeks, using intelligence from agencies, police forces and the public.
Cumbria police said the intelligence was reviewed and developed by a dedicated unit within the department.
Following this work, search warrants were obtained and executed by specialist detectives within the team.
Warrants were executed in:
- Workington
- Maryport
- Carlisle
- Ulverston
- Seascale
Several digital items have been recovered and several individuals are assisting the detectives with enquiries.
Detective Inspector Andy Myers, of the cyber and digital crime unit, said: “One of the unit’s main focuses is to protect vulnerable people from harm.
“We are all aware that technology is advancing rapidly, and criminals are adapting and using online methods to target vulnerable and trusting people. The number of social media sites and apps continues to expand with many of these have a chat function.
“Parents should make sure that they are aware of the apps their child has access to and how their child is using the internet and regularly check their child’s friends on social media accounts, to ensure that no one they have met online has been added.
“We do everything we can to prosecute offenders who’s aim is to harm vulnerable people.
“The cyber and digital crime unit use specialist equipment to detect digital devices capable of connecting to the internet, within properties, to make it virtually impossible for suspected child sex offenders or convicted sex offenders to hide evidence from the police.”
Further advice around online safety can be found on our here, via CEOP and Thinkuknow
Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “No one want to think that there are criminals accessing online child sex abuse material here in Cumbria, however, sadly this is not the case.
“Protecting vulnerable and young people online is one of our main priorities.
“It’s by working together in a co-ordinated approach with members of the public and partner agencies, that we have been able to build up intelligence, which has ultimately led to search warrants and investigating potential criminals that have been accessing online child sex abuse material.
“It is essential that we all know how to best protect ourselves when we are online.
“Cyber criminals are experts in developing online friendships with vulnerable and young people, exploiting their trust and manipulating people to share inappropriate images. To learn more about keeping yourself and others safe online visit www.getsafeonline.org.”
