106 child sex predators snared in Staffordshire

Operation Safenet was launched by Staffordshire Police in July 2015 targeting people who sexually exploit youngsters online.

Since then 183 warrants have been executed, 168 people arrested and 106 offenders convicted – 275 vulnerable children were also identified and removed from harm’s way.

One of the most high-profile results saw Blake Robert Johnson, from California, jailed for 30 years for preying on 94 girls from six different countries including an 11-year-old from Stafford.

Detective Sergeant Steve Chadwick said: “My officers have gained significant skills in this area of policing and, working with Digital Forensic Experts and the Crown Prosecution Service, have been able to present evidence to such a standard that we have achieved a 100 per cent conviction rate at court.

“Furthermore the efforts of my officers have identified 75 suspected offenders who reside out of Staffordshire with this information being passed to colleagues to action.

“Whilst we hope these figures reassure the public that those individuals who pose a risk to children are being rooted out and held to account, without doubt the most important aspect of this work are the children who have been safeguarded as a result of our proactive approach.

“Of those suspects dealt with, 275 children were identified as being in direct contact with the suspect and were therefore referred to children’s services.

“What we cannot measure, but equally as important, are those children that we have prevented from becoming future victims.”

Such has been the success of Safenet that the model of the operation was adopted across the region.

Every week the dedicated team uses digital investigative techniques to identify where illegal images are being viewed.

The intelligence is used to apply to magistrates for a search warrant to allow police and digital forensic experts to raid home address and seize any evidence.

Visit www.staffordshire.police.uk/operationsafenet for more information on Safenet