NPCC: Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse highlights robust policing response to online exploitation of children

The inquiry heard how police arrest more than 450 people a month for related offences and took evidence from law enforcement agencies.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Child Protection, Chief Constable Simon Bailey, said:

“The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’s report highlights the scale of the challenge we face from the online abuse and exploitation of children and outlines the robust response of law enforcement. As police we are doing all we can to pursue and prosecute criminals who exploit and abuse young people online. But, as the inquiry has found, much more must be done to stop this abuse happening in the first place.

“Social media and tech companies need to acknowledge their responsibility and do more to stop children accessing harmful content and prevent abuse on their platforms.

“The inquiry has made a number of recommendations which will now be careful considered and my hope is that the report will lead to meaningful action, time and investment from everyone involved in protecting our young people. We simply cannot allow this level of harm and abuse being inflicted on children to go on.”