NCA warns that ‘at least’ 300,000 people in UK currently pose a sexual threat to children

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has said there are at least 300,000 people in the UK who pose a sexual threat to children.

The agency has warned of a rise in online child sexual abuse offences during the coronavirus crisis.

Based on a number of sources, NCA intelligence believes there are a ‘minimum’ of 300,000 people in the UK posing a sexual threat to children, either through physical ‘contact’ abuse or online.

Such is the prevalence of online abuse, NCA investigators were able to find child sex abuse content on the open web in just three clicks. The agency has said.

NCA officers also know from online chat that offenders are discussing opportunities to abuse children during the Covid 19 crisis.

With children spending more time online to do school work or occupy themselves while parents and carers are busy, “they face an increased threat from offenders who are also online in greater numbers.” The NCA warns.

Rob Jones, NCA director of threat leadership, said:

“Child sexual abuse remains a priority threat for the agency at this difficult time.

Though we are working around the virus like everyone else, we are continuing to pursue high-risk online offenders to ensure they are arrested and children are safeguarded.

The internet has undeniable benefits to society.

But it’s also enabled a section of society to commit increasingly horrific crimes against children through grooming, live-streaming and distribution of indecent images.

Preventing offences occurring is always crucial and now more so than ever when there is masses of online traffic and a possible elevated threat to children.

We are redoubling our efforts to promote our online safety messages to children, parents, carers and teachers and are working with partners to keep children safe.

“We have long said that we want the tech industry to do more to protect children.

“The advice and activities on our Thinkuknow website are really important and easily built into home schooling programmes.”

Since schools closed because of coronavirus the number of child safety concerns reported through the CEOP website has stayed largely the same.

While there has been decreased reporting from professionals, such as teachers and social workers, the level of reports from children has remained stable.

“There has been no delay in how the agency triages and responds to these reports.”

The NCA and UK police arrest more than 500 child sex offenders and safeguarding around 700 children each month.

NPCC lead for child protection Chief Constable Simon Bailey said: “It is sickening to think that some criminals are looking to exploit the coronavirus crisis to cause harm online.

Despite the issues that the pandemic will cause for law enforcement, child protection is still a priority and we remain totally committed to keeping our young people safe.

Our joint work with the NCA means we have better intelligence and are arresting more sex offenders than ever before.

We will maintain a focus on those who are intent on causing harm to young people and we will strive to bring them to justice. I am also continuing the important work with tech companies to make sure they are playing their part to make the internet as safe as possible.

Equally as important as police action is making sure children have all the information and tools they need to keep themselves safe online. The Thinkuknow website is a great place for parents to go for advice and a good way to pass the time whilst children are at home.”

[Thinkuknow website]

The NCA is launching a new #OnlineSafetyAtHome campaign through its education team at CEOP – the Child Exploitation and Online Protection command.

A host of informative, educational products aimed at children of all ages, parents, carers and teachers will be issued through the agency’s Thinkuknow website and social media channels. The activities are easily incorporated into home schooling.

The agency is kicking off its programme by providing 15-minute activities to parents and carers to do with their children – and new activities will be launched fortnightly.

Activities have been specifically designed to be fun, yet educational using the Thinkuknow content for the target age group.

Activities will be available for families of children across all age groups (4-5,5 -7, 8-10, 11-14 and 14+) and delivered to families through the new delivery methods being used by schools, as well as sectors including social care, law enforcement, health and charity.

For advice about online child safety visit Thinkuknow.co.uk

The agency is also releasing Covid 19 specific content through Parent Info, a news feed and website the NCA runs with digital family experts Parent Zone.

Over 6,000 schools and organisations have registered to receive content from Parentinfo.org.

Child Protection Charity The Lucy Faithfull Foundation runs the Stop It Now! helpline which offers confidential advice to anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s behaviour towards children.