PAEDOPHILES exploiting the coronavirus lockdown to target children online have led to more than 30 arrests across the Thames Valley, including nine in Oxfordshire.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Darnell, of the Thames Valley Police Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said the force had put extra resources into stopping offenders following a surge in reports as young people spend more time at home and online.

During March, reports of online child sexual abuse in the Thames Valley were 146 per cent higher than the same time last year.

DCI Darnell said there had been a continued increase in reports, which were up by 91 per cent for the first five months of 2020 compared with the same period last year.

He said: “Sadly, we believe that criminals have looked to exploit the fact that more children have been at home and online, and as such there has been a large increase in the number of reports we’ve received about online child sexual abuse.

Also read: HALF of parents in Oxfordshire refuse to take pupils back to school

He said May had seen a 'significant increase' in enforcement, with Thames Valley Police carrying out 37 warrants at addresses across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, officers arresting 32 people, seizing a total of 419 devices and safeguarding 24 children.

Specialist officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit arrested another four people from Oxfordshire who were suspected of making arrangements to meet children for sex.

He said: “Thames Valley Police routinely carries out warrants such as these and they are business as usual for us. However, we want to ensure that a clear message is being sent to those that look to exploit children.

“This is not acceptable – it is a very serious crime and you will get caught. These warrants show that we are constantly monitoring the intelligence we receive about these offences, and that we will come to your home, investigate, seize your devices and arrest you if necessary.

“I am really pleased that the activity we have carried out has resulted in so many children being safeguarded and that we have made a large number of arrests."

Also read: Six-year-old uses mum's sewing machine to make face masks for charity

He added: “This activity is not a one-off. We will continue to carry out warrants like this as we seek to bring to justice those who commit this type of offence.”

Online sexual abuse is any type of sexual abuse that happens on the internet, whether through social media, online gaming or using mobile phones.

In some cases this involves children being groomed or exploited by an adult, who will often pretend to be someone their age and encourage them to share explicit images of themselves.

He advised parents to 'trust their gut instinct' when dealing with concerns their child was in danger, and to look out for them being secretive, sad and withdrawn, as well as seeming unable to switch off from electronic devices.

The DCI also said it was important for offenders to know there are places for them to seek help to stop what they are doing.

Also read: 'Two BMW workers sent home because of virus'

Donald Findlater, director of the Stop It Now! helpline, which is designed to provide such support, said: "People who are viewing increasing quantities of adult pornography need to ensure they don’t step over a line and start viewing sexual images of under 18s – over recent years that is the path the majority of viewers of sexual material involving children have taken.

"Viewers of this material may make excuses to themselves – that they didn't take the pictures; that they aren’t involved in the abuse; that the images are of teenagers and not little children – but all sexual images of under 18s are illegal: children are harmed in its creation and viewing and there are grave consequences facing those who are arrested.

"Over the years we've helped thousands across the UK stop their illegal behaviour. If you are concerned about your own online behaviour or that of a loved one, please take action and call the Stop It Now! helpline for confidential advice.”

Confidential help is available via Stop It Now on 0808 1000 900.

For anyone concerned for the safety of a child, call Thames Valley Police on 101, the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.