Children are at risk because police are slow to follow up evidence of abuse, the police watchdog finds.
Police investigating online child abuse are failing to follow up concerns about suspects, a report has found.
The report found forces did not understand the scale of the problem, despite a large increase in cases. The inspector's report praised the dedication of officers, saying they "often work extremely long hours and on their days off to achieve the best outcome". "Officers often didn't consider the risk posed by the suspect to other children", it concluded, partly because of poor supervision or out-of-date guidance.
In one example, from September 2020, a suspect had uploaded two videos of a nine-year-old girl being raped by a 17-year-old. The case was "incorrectly" rated as low risk.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Police confirm two children rushed to hospital after collision in GovanhillPolice have confirmed that two children were rushed to hospital following a collision on Calder Street in Govanhill.
Read more »
Boy, 7, completes 40-mile walk for Alder Hey Children's HospitalBoy, 7, completes 40-mile walk for hospital where his cousin receives cancer treatment
Read more »
Coach filled with Shropshire children turned back for home when faced with huge delays at DoverA coach full of students and teachers took the heartbreaking decision to turn back at Dover from a dream trip playing netball at Disneyland Paris.
Read more »
Toy find prompts suspicion children taken to Sheffield pub theftA pub manager says it appears thieves may have taken their children with them to a break-in.
Read more »
Participation trophies for children in sports may be banned in US stateThe proposals have been criticised as a 'colossal waste of time' and for 'deflecting' people away from other issues, such as the safety of students in schools following the recent Nashville shootings.
Read more »
Toy find prompts suspicion children taken to Sheffield pub theftA pub manager says it appears thieves may have taken their children with them to a break-in.
Read more »