North East police face rise in cyber related sex crimes
Officers are dealing 15 cyber related sex offences every day involving kids.
Nearly 6,000 children were targeted by online sexual predators last year across the country.
New figures released by the NSPCC today show our county saw more than 160 reports in the past year.
The charity say kids from as young as three years old have been targeted.
Northumbria Police have seen reports treble, meanwhile Cleveland Police received more than double the reports in sex offences against children with a ‘cyber flag’.
They’re now demanding that next government introduce strict online safety measures to better protect children.
We've been speaking to Iain McKay from the charity- he's based in Carlisle.
“There’s not pockets of areas which have the highest amount- there is cyber crime everywhere, so everyone should be vigilant.
“Right from the start- take an interest in your children’s online activity- don’t worry about being an over-protective parent.
“Please talk to your children and make sure you know what they’re doing online.”
We've been speaking to Dark Justice- they catch online predators who try to meet up with children.
They're warning parents not to be complacent.
“They would never think he’s going to be going on things like Facebook, or Justin Bieber fan groups- you’ve got to think these people are going to be where the children are.
“Our job’s never going to be over and that’s the sad thing about it- we’ve had to have 4- odd people convicted that were going to abuse a child.”