More than 500 child sexual abuse image crimes recorded in North Wales last year
North Wales Police recorded 535 child sexual abuse image crimes in 2023/24, contributing to a total of more than 2,000 offences across Wales, according to newly published Home Office data.
The figures highlight how private messaging platforms are being exploited by offenders to share illegal material, prompting renewed calls from the NSPCC and other child protection charities for stronger regulation.
Six offences recorded per day
A total of 2,194 child sexual abuse image crimes were recorded across Wales last year, equating to an average of six offences per day. The breakdown by police force shows:
- South Wales Police: 964 crimes
- North Wales Police: 535 crimes
- Gwent Police: 503 crimes
- Dyfed-Powys Police: 192 crimes
Separate data obtained by the NSPCC through a Freedom of Information request revealed that in cases where police identified the platform used, 50% of offences took place on Snapchat. A further 25% occurred on Meta-owned platforms, including Instagram (11%), Facebook (7%), and WhatsApp (6%).
Charities urge Government action
In response to the figures, a coalition of charities—including the NSPCC, Marie Collins Foundation, Lucy Faithfull Foundation, Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, and Barnardo’s—has sent a letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology Peter Kyle.
The letter raises concerns about Ofcom’s final Illegal Harms Code of Practice, published in December 2024. The charities argue that the Online Safety Act will fail to protect children unless stronger measures are introduced to prevent abuse on private messaging services.
While Ofcom’s guidance states that online services must remove illegal content where it is “technically feasible”, the NSPCC warns this creates a loophole, allowing platforms to avoid implementing basic child protection measures.
Private messaging platforms exploited by offenders
Police data suggests that private messaging apps play a central role in online child abuse crimes. The secrecy of these platforms enables perpetrators to share illegal material and evade detection.
The NSPCC is calling for the UK Government to:
- Push Ofcom to strengthen its approach to tackling child abuse on private messaging platforms.
- Ensure that end-to-end encryption services implement safeguards to prevent their platforms from being exploited by offenders.
End-to-end encryption prevents service providers from accessing the content of messages, which the NSPCC warns could allow abuse to continue unchecked.
The impact of private messaging exploitation is reflected in insights from Childline, which reported a 7% increase in counselling sessions related to online blackmail and threats in 2023/24.
Last year, Childline delivered 903 counselling sessions to children and young people who had been targeted or coerced into sharing sexual images via private messaging platforms.
NSPCC calls for tougher regulation
Chris Sherwood, NSPCC Chief Executive, said that tech companies must be held accountable for allowing illegal material to spread on their platforms.
“These offences cause tremendous harm and distress to children, with much of this illegal material being repeatedly shared and viewed online. It is an outrage that in 2025 we are still seeing a blatant disregard from tech companies to prevent this illegal content from proliferating on their sites.
“Having separate rules for private messaging services lets tech bosses off the hook from putting robust protections for children in place. This enables crimes to continue to flourish on their platforms even though we now have the Online Safety Act.
“The Government must set out how they will take a bold stand against abuse on private messaging services and hold tech companies accountable for keeping children safe. Even if it requires changes to platform design, there can be no excuse for inaction or delay.”
The NSPCC and its partner organisations are urging the UK Government and Ofcom to act swiftly to close loopholes and ensure that children are properly safeguarded online.
