Massive online sex abuse investigation sees 77 suspects arrested

More than 500 children have been identified as possible victims of online sexual abuse in an investigation by Police Scotland.

In what the Daily Telegraph calls the first major operation of its kind in Scotland, 30 million indecent computer images were uncovered during Operation Lattise between 6 June and 15 July.

Nearly 400 charges have been brought so far, including rape, grooming for sexual purposes, sexual extortion, indecent communication with children, and bestiality. Seventy-seven people have been charged. Of the 523 victims or potential victims, 122 have been referred to child protection services.

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“The horrific scale of online child grooming and sex abuse has been exposed by a major police investigation in Scotland,” says the Mail Online.

"Online child sexual abuse is a national threat," Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham warned. "The reality is it is happening now, not only in Scotland but across the world, to children of all ages.”

NSPCC Scotland’s Joanna Barrett, said: "Too many children are exposed to dangerous and harmful content through the internet or are subjected to online harassment, grooming and sexual exploitation."

Police Scotland figures also show that grooming children for sexual offences has more than doubled in the last year, with 50 recorded incidents of grooming in 2015-16.