Sex offenders are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to target children online and investment is needed for the technologies to track them, Europe’s police agency warns.

In its cyber crime report, Europol said the use of encrypted tools, which enable offenders to stay anonymous, were now “becoming the norm”.

With millions of children online, access to them was “higher than ever”.

Cyber crime reporting in Europe had surpassed traditional crimes, it said.

Europol called the ability for child sex offenders to communicate, store and share materials and hunt for new victims online “one of the internet’s most damaging and abhorrent aspects”.

It said they were targeting social networks, online games and forums used mainly by children – and then encouraging a groomed child to continue communication on encrypted platforms that allow the sharing of chat, video and photos.

Live streaming is also “a growing threat”, the report says, “facilitated by end-to-end encrypted platforms where not even the service providers can access what is being shared among their users”.

“Traditionally the victims of live distant child abuse were based in South-East Asia, in particular the Philippines. More recent reports indicate that it is now spreading to other countries,” the report says.

“Regions of the world with high levels of poverty, limited domestic child protection measures and easy access to children are being targeted by offenders…”

The report says that as well as educating children, parents and carers about staying safe on the internet, law enforcement must invest “human and IT resources to improve the opportunities for victims to be identified”.

Child Sexual Exploitation is happening in Warwickshire.

Something’s Not Right is the acclaimed multi agency child sexual exploitation campaign and continues to raise awareness of CSE and offer support in Warwickshire. The campaign encourages people to think about situations they may see or be involved in on a daily basis and if Something’s Not Right seek professional advice and guidance.

Don’t risk ignoring it. Call 01926 684490 to discuss your concerns or visit http://warwickshirecse.co.uk

For more information about our work, please visit www.safeinwarwickshire.com/cybercrime

Be Cyber Streetwise is a cross-government campaign, funded by the National Cyber Security Programme. They aim to measurably and significantly improve the online safety behaviour and confidence of consumers and small businesses (SMEs).

Get Safe Online is the UK’s leading source of factual and easy-to-understand information on online safety. Their website offers advice on how you can protect yourself, your computers and devices, and your business against the likes of fraud, identity theft, viruses and other potential online problems.