We are leading the way to protect children from online predators

AI tools are being used to generate child sexual abuse images in several sickening ways, by “nudeifying” real-life images of children or by stitching the faces of other children onto existing child sexual abuse images. ??

In 2023, the Internet Watch Foundation found 275,655 web pages containing child sexual abuse material. Each of these pages contained hundreds, or even thousands, of images or videos of child sexual abuse. This is a sickening 8% rise from the 255,570 detected the year before.

This is a horrific crime that we refuse to accept. The Home Office has set out new measures which will ensure that children are better protected from the growing threat of paedophiles online. ??

Last week, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revealed that the UK will be the first country in the world to create new AI sexual abuse offences, including:

“We know that sick predators’ activities online often lead to them carrying out the most horrific abuse in person. This government will not hesitate to act to ensure the safety of children online by ensuring our laws keep pace with the latest threats.”??- Home Secretary Yvette Cooper

These measures will be introduced as part of the Crime and Policing Bill when it comes to Parliament this year. The bill?will support the delivery of the government’s safer streets mission to halve?knife crime and violence against women and girls in a decade.??

Last week, Hertfordshire police raided a house to arrest two men suspected of contacting children online.?

In an operation supported by National Crime Agency (NCA) intelligence, Herts Police were able to secure the arrest. During a search of the house, they discovered digital devices containing explicit material, along with other items seized for further investigation.?

The force deployed cutting-edge 'digital dogs' to ensure no evidence was overlooked. These specially trained dogs can detect hidden devices, often containing thousands of illicit images which are key to securing convictions and bringing offenders to justice.

This operation was supported by the National Crime Agency intelligence, which helped the force to secure the arrest. ?

During the house search, they discovered digital devices containing explicit material, along with other items seized for further investigation.?