Number of recorded offences of viewing child pornography rises sharply across UK

In the past five years the number of police recorded offences for viewing child pornography has increased by 168 per cent to 603 offences in Scotland.

The numbers have more than doubled in all four nations of the UK, the NSPCC has reported.

In England the number increased by 134 per cent to 7,324 between 2010/11 and 2014/15. In Wales the number increased by 184 per cent to 587. In Northern Ireland the number increased by 292 per cent to 231 recorded offences.

These figures are the maximum number of possible offences which have been recorded in relation to indecent images of children. The Obscene Publications Act covers both online and offline material. However the way the data is collected by the police prevents the NSPCC from splitting out online and offline offences.

Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: “The sheer numbers of people viewing child sexual abuse images online must be addressed as a social emergency.

“It’s two years since government made it a national priority to rid the internet of these vile crimes against children, but today’s report reveals how horrifyingly prolific the problem remains.

“We recognise that progress has been made. For example, the work of the National Crime Agency and the police has safeguarded record numbers of victims and arrested hundreds of suspects in the UK.

“And industry is working with partners such as the IWF to identify and remove child sexual abuse images online. But these efforts alone won’t solve the problem.”