THE Police Service of Northern Ireland have arrested 25 people as part of a crack down on online child porn in the region.
The PSNI took part in a joint operation with the National Crime Agency to tackle those accessing indecent images of children online.
Officers from both the PSNI and the NCA have completed a number of search and arrest operations across Northern Ireland over the last few months, resulting in 25 arrests.
Out of the 25 arrests made, four people have been charged, while the others have been released pending further enquiries.
Items seized during the searches are being sent for forensic examination. Steps have been taken to safeguard and protect 32 children who may have been at risk, as a result of the operation.
The PSNI is hoping the scale of the arrests will send a message to those in Northern Ireland who might consider downloading or sharing indecent images online, that they will be caught and brought to justice.
Detective Chief Superintendent George Clarke, Head of the PSNI’s Public Protection Branch, said:
“Tackling the abuse of children is a priority for us and this joint operation with our colleagues in NCA has helped ensure those who pose a threat to children are apprehended and brought before the courts.
“There is this perception that this sort of child abuse goes on elsewhere, not in Northern Ireland, but we do have very dangerous offenders in Northern Ireland.”
Dr Zoe Hilton, Head of Child Protection at the NCA added: “Some of the people who start by accessing indecent images online go on to sexually assault children directly, but not all do. That is why, as well as bringing offenders to justice, we want to prevent potential abuse taking place by stopping people from crossing that line."
