Child victims of online sexual abuse are currently facing inadequate protection from further harm, a critical issue highlighted by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Michelle Skeer. She issued a stern warning that without immediate investment and coordinated efforts, the situation is poised to deteriorate, placing more children at increased risk. Skeer emphasized the urgent need for the Home Office and police leaders to act decisively in tackling this crime, which inflicts a lasting and devastating impact on its young victims.

A recent report by the inspectorate revealed that police forces are struggling significantly to keep pace with an alarming two-thirds annual increase in referrals concerning online child abuse. This escalating workload has led to forces being severely overstretched, with individual investigators managing as many as 54 active cases simultaneously. Such an environment inevitably compromises the depth and speed of investigations.

One of the most concerning findings in the report is the extensive delays in the digital examination of suspects' devices, which can prolong for up to two years. These unacceptable delays mean that child victims are left without adequate safeguarding measures for extended periods, directly increasing their vulnerability to ongoing harm and further exploitation. The report unequivocally stated that such prolonged periods of unsafeguarded status are intolerable.

Compounding the issue, some forces have been criticized for prolonging risk to victims by opting for voluntary interviews with suspects instead of making immediate arrests. The inspectorate underscored the importance of arrest, explaining that it facilitates crucial actions such as home searches, the seizure of digital devices, and the imposition of essential bail conditions that restrict a suspect's behavior. Without these measures, suspects retain the ability to continue accessing children online. The report attributed forces' reluctance to make arrests to their already high workloads, though some forces claimed they only used bail for high-risk suspects or those with direct access to children, a practice the inspectorate deemed still insufficient to prevent online abuse.

The report also identified technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), as a significant driver behind the increase in online child abuse. Michelle Skeer described online child abuse as “one of the most serious, fastest growing crimes facing society.” The number of referrals dramatically rose from 12,469 in 2023 to 20,704 in 2024, while the number of registered sex offenders surged by 48% to almost 3,000 over the same period. Offenders are leveraging AI to create and manipulate innocent images of children into indecent ones, making it increasingly difficult for police to keep pace with the evolving methods of criminals without dedicated and continuous focus.

Furthermore, the investigation of these crimes is hampered by inconsistent and often inadequate use of technology across police forces. Many forces reportedly lack basic digital triage equipment necessary to check suspects’ devices efficiently. The inspectorate even observed offender managers manually examining devices without proper digital training, highlighting significant gaps in investigative capabilities and resources. The report also pointed out persistent staffing deficiencies, with many forces lacking enough officers and staff skilled in investigating online sexual abuse, leading to missed safeguarding opportunities.

To address these critical shortcomings, the report put forth several key recommendations. It called for the creation of a new national course specifically designed for investigators focusing on online child sexual abuse. Additionally, a comprehensive review of staffing levels is advised to ensure workloads become more manageable. The report also highlighted examples of good practice, such as the use of polygraphs, or lie detectors, by some forces. This tool has proven effective in identifying new offenses, thereby enabling victims to be safeguarded more effectively, and the inspectorate recommended that all forces should have access to this valuable intelligence tool to enhance their investigative capabilities.