Two Carlisle men are set to appear in court next month for online child sex offences.
The men were caught in a three-day targeted sting by Cumbria police’s cyber and digital crime unit and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit targeting sexual offences against children.
In both cases, the men were communicating with online profiles of 12 to 13-year-old children.
Detective Inspector Fiona Gray, of the cyber and digital crime unit, said: “Our main priority is to protect vulnerable people from sexual harm.
“This operation is part of the continuing proactive work by the unit, which is a dedicated unit staffed with officers trained specifically to deal with online offending and safeguard those who have been exploited.
“We work closely with our partners at the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and have a range of tactics at our disposal to identify those who pose a risk of sexual harm to children and bring them to justice.
“Let this be a warning to anyone who has, or is considering communicating with children sexually, that you will face the full force of the law. You must also consider the consequences for your family, friends and employment.
“I would urge people to familiarise themselves what their children are doing online – ask them questions and support them in using the internet safely.
“If you are concerned that a child is being, or is vulnerable to sexual abuse or exploitation, please report this to the constabulary immediately though any of our various reporting channels.”
