Paedophiles can find sick child sex abuse images online with just THREE clicks of a mouse, National Crime Agency boss warns
- National Crime Agency said paedophiles can access child abuse images easily
- NCA director-general Lynne Owens called for ‘zero tolerance’ to child sex abuse
- Govt set out plans to empower Ofcom to hold internet companies to account
Paedophiles can access child abuse images online in just three clicks, the National Crime Agency warned yesterday.
NCA director-general Lynne Owens said such material was found so easily via search engines that there was nothing to stop offending on the open web.
Police chiefs across Europe have backed her demands for companies to block child sexual abuse material as soon as it is detected. It comes as investigators found that offenders can target victims over a live stream for as little as £10.
Paedophiles can access child abuse images online in just three clicks, the National Crime Agency warned yesterday (file image)
Mrs Owens said: ‘In just three clicks our officers could locate child sexual abuse on the open web. There is no barrier to offending and that cannot continue.’
She did not single out any technology or social media firms, but called for ‘zero tolerance’ to child sexual abuse.
Mrs Owens said: ‘The sheer volume of child sexual abuse material available online creates a permissive environment for offenders to develop their sexual interest in children. Live-streamed abuse for commercial purposes is a growing threat; for as little as £10 to £20, offenders can orchestrate the abuse.’
On Wednesday, the Government set out plans to empower regulator Ofcom to hold internet companies to account if they fail to protect users from harmful material.
NCA director-general Lynne Owens said: ‘The sheer volume of child sexual abuse material available online creates a permissive environment for offenders to develop their sexual interest in children’ (file image)