NSPCC investigation finds that child abuse image crimes in the Thames Valley have risen by nearly a third over the last five years

Child abuse image crimes in the Thames Valley have risen by nearly a third over the last five years and more than 200 per cent in the past year, according to an NSPCC investigation.

More than 900 crimes involving the sharing and possession of indecent images of children took place last year (2021/22) across the region, according to Freedom of Information data obtained by the children’s charity.

Crimes in the region have surged by 206 per cent in one year with 918 taking place in 2021/22 and 300 taking place in 2020/21.

Nationally offences increased to the highest figure on record (30,925), suggesting the heightened risk seen during the pandemic has not gone away.

The NSPCC has warned that unregulated social media is fuelling the current unprecedented scale of online child sexual abuse.

The charity is calling on the Government to give children, including victims of sexual abuse, a "powerful voice and expert representation" in future regulation by creating a statutory child safety advocate through the Online Safety Bill.

This would ensure that children’s experiences are front and centre of decision making, building safeguarding experience into regulation to prioritise child protection.

The NSPCC said committing to a statutory child safety advocate is "crucial" to act as an early warning system to identify emerging child abuse risks and ensure they are on the radar of companies and the regulator Ofcom.