'Child porn explosion' in the Midlands fuelled by digital technology

Offences involving indecent images of children reported to police have rocketed in the West Midlands and Staffordshire in the last three years from 156 to 610, according to NSPCC figures.

In Staffordshire it rose from 79 in 2013 to 267 in 2015, while the West Midlands total increased from 177 in 2013 to 343 in 2015.

The alarming rise was attributed to improving technology, and NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless insists the war on child abuse images is only just beginning.

He said: "Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said: "Over the last two decades, digital technology has fuelled an explosion in the production and consumption of child sexual abuse images that increasingly involves the streaming of live video.

"Committed leadership from government, and dedicated police operations have made a real difference.

"But the war on child abuse images is only just beginning.

"The internet industry must prioritise this issue by committing their expertise and work with the public and voluntary sector to find solutions."

"As well as pursuing and deterring adults who make and distribute these we must educate children about how to keep themselves safe online and offline and how to get help as soon as grooming or abuse happens.

"And every child who is the victim of exploitation and abuse should get the support they need to rebuild their lives."

The total number of offences reported to all 45 police forces across the UK has nearly tripled over the last three years, rising from 4,530 in 2013 to 10,818 in 2015.

Meanwhile figures show a total of 2,031 children were among those reported to police across the UK for indecent images offences over the last three years.

The rise has led the NSPCC to call for police to be given greater resources to tackle the growing threat, highlighting the responsibility of the UK's digital industry in tackling the issue.

And the charity is urging parents to talk to children about the risks of sharing nude selfies on mobile phones and social media as this may be partly fuelling the rise in offences by under-18s.

A survey recently carried out by the organisation revealed only half of parents knew that children taking nude selfies were committing a crime.

The NSPCC has identified four key areas where urgent action is needed to turn back the tide.

The organisation insists internet companies need to develop and share technological solutions – and make data about progress removing child abuse images publicly available, and young people should be able to get nude selfies removed from the internet more easily to stop them getting into the hands of predators.

The charity also wants children and young people who have been the victim of these crimes to get more easily accessible support to help them recover and for offenders who are convicted to be offered treatment to reduce their future risk to children.