The UK’s policing leads for child sexual abuse (CSA) are warning that despite unprecedented levels of law enforcement action to tackle offending, advances in technology and the reliance on online platforms to communicate are significantly increasing the opportunities for offenders to engage with and sexually abuse children.

Developments in technology such as generative AI image creation tools and the continued rollout of end-to-end encryption, combined with the significant increase in reports into law enforcement of alleged online abuse, mean that the protection and safeguarding of children is now at a critical level, according to the press report.

The scale and prevalence of the CSA threat has increased in severity and complexity over the years. It can occur in any community and across all social backgrounds. It remains one of the most significant threats across the UK.

The threat has diversified, too. The National Crime Agency (NCA) stated that they have seen offenders commissioning the livestream sexual abuse of children on demand for as little as £20. The financially motivated sexual extortion (FMSE) of primarily young boys is increasing. And the trend of online “communities” – known as Com networks – where members share and promote increasingly sadistic material – continues to cause significant harm.

But this is not simply offending that confines itself to the online environment. Not only is there a vulnerable child that has been exploited behind every image and every video, but there is increasing evidence that demonstrates the link between the viewing of CSA material and contact abuse.

“Over the last five years, we have continually said that the use of technology is increasing the opportunities for child sex offenders, and the risk to children and young people. We have seen some improvements by tech companies, but it’s nowhere near what’s actually needed to protect children in this day and age,” said Rob Jones, Director General Operations at the NCA.

Despite these challenges, the NCA reaffirmed that law enforcement is more joined up than ever, with officers making more arrests than ever before.

“On a daily basis, officers at the NCA and across policing are assessing some of the most obscene child abuse imaginable. And this is not hidden in the dark web – it’s being shared on social media and is accessible on the clear web as well for anyone to see,” Jones continued.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received more than 20 million reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation (from tech companies) in 2024, with over 19 million reports relating to the making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

And this increase in reports to NCMEC has led to the NCA’s Child Sexual Exploitation Referrals Bureau (CSERB) receiving on average 1,700 reports a week of alleged child abuse on online platforms.

The NCA and policing partners are arresting an average of 1,000 potential offenders each month and safeguarded approximately 1,200 children.

During a single week in January, the NCA and forces across the UK arrested 252 people (118 were charged), safeguarded 407 children and 35 individuals were sentenced at court. This is not a one off – this level of action is taking place every week.

According to the press report, the NCA and policing colleagues have strengthened their response through enhanced intelligence sharing, specialist investigative support and improving national capabilities.

But arrests and operational activity are only one part of the solution.

Law enforcement, in partnership with government agencies and third sector victim support organisations are making significant strides in tackling CSAE, combining innovative technology, enhanced investigative capability, and a stronger focus on victim-centred practice.

The Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, stated that the scale of child sexual abuse and exploitation in the UK is “horrific, whether online, at home, or within depraved criminal gangs, and this government is using every lever at our disposal to fight it.”

“We are funding a network of undercover officers online and a dedicated police taskforce to disrupt crimes, catch offenders and protect children. In addition, the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs and Operation Beaconport will work hand in hand to get justice for survivors,” continued Phillips.

The NCA confirmed that, over the next 12 months, police forces will benefit from the Tackling Organised Exploitation (TOEX) Programme’s Capabilities Environment—a secure platform already proven to speed up investigative processes and free up frontline resources to ensure policing is better equipped than ever to disrupt offenders and prevent harm.

Trauma‑informed practice is now firmly embedded across frontline and specialist teams, ensuring investigations minimise re‑traumatisation and build trust with victims. The NCA’s CEOP Education Programme offers this support and is underpinned by intelligence from the NCA, research and direct engagement with children and young people.

And the creation of the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP) has further strengthened the national response by unifying expertise, evidence-based guidance and multi‑agency coordination.

Together, these developments are driving faster, higher-quality investigations, more consistent safeguarding, and a more supportive experience for victims and survivors—demonstrating the tangible and growing impact of policing in confronting CSAE— according to the NCA.

Furthermore, the NCA and Policing leads are urging Ofcom, the NCA’s regulator, to use the powers in the Online Safety Act (OSA) more robustly to hold companies to account if they are not compliant, as it recently did with ‘X’. There should be support to enforce penalties for non-compliance. And the development of prevention initiatives to deter adults and young people who are at risk of sexually abusing a child should be prioritised, alongside funding for offender management to help deter offending before it happens. And prevention initiatives to deter adults and young people who are at risk of sexually abusing a child must be developed and expanded. Funding for offender management should be increased to help deter offending before it happens.

“We all have a responsibility to build a safer digital world for our young people. A vital part of that is education. Children and young people need to understand the risks they may encounter online, and they must be empowered to make safer choices. Just as importantly, the trusted adults around them – parents, carers, teachers, youth workers – need clear, accessible guidance so they can recognise the signs of harm, have open conversations, and know where to turn for help,” said Temporary Chief Constable, Becky Riggs, National Police Chiefs’ Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigation.

“The response to the continual CSA threat cannot be one for policing alone – a whole‑system approach is the only way to protect children effectively. We all owe it to our children not to be a bystander – now is the time to really make a difference,” Jones concluded.