Police forces struggle to keep pace with rising online child sexual abuse

A new report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services raises serious concerns about the ability of police forces in England and Wales to respond effectively to online child sexual abuse and manage registered sex offenders.

The findings show a system under significant strain.  Rising demand  is outpacing resources leaving children waiting too long for protection and support.

Referrals from the National Crime Agency (NCA) rose by 66% in just one year, from 12,469 in 2023 to 20,704 in 2024. The number of registered sex offenders has increased by 48 percent over the last decade and authorities added nearly  3,000 more  to the register in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24.

Despite the dedication of frontline staff, the report makes clear that current capacity cannot meet this rising need.  Delays can have serious and lasting consequences for children and young people experiencing abuse.  Digital forensic examinations can take up to two years in some areas, which slows investigations and delays safeguarding actions.

Workforce pressures are also acute.  Some investigators responsible for more than 50 cases at a time. The report also highlights a lack of consistent national training for officers investigating online child sexual abuse, which leads to variation in the quality of responses across forces.

The report also identifies gaps in how systems are organised. Police Forces often separate online abuse investigations from the management of people convicted of sexual offences, even though the two areas are closely connected.  Differences in access to technology also limit some forces’ ability to respond effectively.   Inspectors also raise concerns about the use of voluntary interviews instead of arrest in some cases. Without arrest powers, such as the ability to seize devices or impose restrictions, there is a risk that suspects may still access children online while investigations continue.

Examples of good practice:

• Warwickshire Police has developed specialist training courses for online child sexual abuse investigators.
• Thames Valley Police has created a bespoke digital training course for sex offender managers, which the College of Policing is now assessing for national rollout.
• Northumbria Police has trained specialist digital media assessors who triage devices at the scene, reducing how many devices are sent for forensic examination and improving the speed and quality of investigations.

The report is clear that local innovation alone cannot address these challenges. It calls for urgent, coordinated action from national bodies to improve training, resources, and oversight. At its core, this report reinforces a stark reality: the scale and complexity of online child sexual abuse is growing, and the systems designed to respond are struggling to keep up. Without sustained investment and a joined-up national approach, there is a real risk that children will continue to be left unprotected.

Worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with your child online?

• Click through to the CEOP Safety Centre
• Report Remove helps young people under 18 in the UK to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet.
• If you are under 18, you can call Childline: 0800 1111

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence or abuse, support is available. You can contact your local specialist services such as Safeline:

• National Male Survivor Helpline & Online Support Service (adults & children)
• National Telephone & Online Counselling Service for survivors of CSAE now aged 16+
• Safeline’s Services

To find a specialist service close to your location please go to the The Survivors Trust  which is the national membership organisation for Sexual Violence and Abuse Services.

If a child is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services.