National Child Exploitation Awareness Day

Today is National Child Exploitation Awareness Day.

As we raise awareness of Child Exploitation, our Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET) has been working hard behind the scenes this week to keep children safe online.

On Monday 13 March officers attended  a property in Shropshire for a safeguarding case involving a child who was uploading videos on a social media platform.

Upon arrival, it was clear that the child’s mother was aware of the video and had made attempts to delete the content. Devices were all checked by our Digital Forensic Officers using the latest software designed to detect child sexual abuse material.

No illegal content was found, and safeguarding advice was given to the mother along with family members. Further information about the child’s family was obtained and a referral was made to Children Services.

A Telford man was arrested on Tuesday 14 March on suspicion of possessing and distributing indecent images of Children.

Devices were seized and upon examination, deleted content was identified and was retrieved by our Digital Forensic Officers. Further enquiries around the volume and nature of images held and victim identification work will now be required.

On Wednesday 15 March, a safeguarding case saw OCSET investigate a 13 year old boy who was suspected to be sending indecent images to an 11 year old boy. This was another example of OCSET working with Law Enforcement agencies abroad- in this case The Republic of Ireland. The investigation confirmed nothing sinister was taking place and safeguarding advice was given to the family including the responsibility for parents to supervise what their children are looking at using phones, tablets, computers as well as gaming equipment such as X-Box.

A Stourport man was arrested on Thursday 16 March on suspicion of possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. He was bailed for further enquiries and for the examination of devices seized.

Support was also given to the suspect with referral to Family Matters and his health and welfare was assessed.

Detective Inspector Matt McNelis said: “West Mercia Police prioritise the investigation of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in all its forms and have invested heavily in specialised teams of detectives who seek to leverage the latest technological advances to target sex offenders to keep children safe.

“As this snapshot of our operational activity this week shows, every member of our communities across the counties the force covers needs to be aware of the growing online threat to children so we can be more aware and protect the most vulnerable.”

Anyone who needs help relating to child sexual images can get anonymous and confidential help from Stop it Now! by calling 0808 1000 900.

Anyone who has been a victim of online child sexual abuse, or is worried they could become a victim, can call 101 or visit our Report page

If you do not wish to speak to police you can contact Childline anonymously on 0800 1111, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, also anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Issued by BB, Corporate Communication