By Nick Griffiths Crime Reporter

Last updated at 13:17, Thursday, 18 October 2012

Forty two suspected perverts were arrested in Cumbria last year over alleged child porn offences.

They were held on suspicion of taking, possessing or distributing indecent images of children – crimes the county force says are a top priority for officers.

The figures emerged as the NSPCC called for urgent action nationally to stamp out the illegal trade in such images, adding that “more and more children are being abused” so pictures can be produced.

In one of the most recent cases heard at court in Cumbria, John Andrew Chambers, 47, of Warwick Square in Carlisle city centre, admitted eight charges of possessing indecent photos of children.

Detective Inspector Nick Coughlan said: “The protection of children is an absolute priority for Cumbria Constabulary and we thoroughly investigate every incident reported to us. We have dedicated teams of officers who are specially trained to investigate and detect the abuse and mistreatment of children wherever they may be living.

“We want to reassure the people of Cumbria that police will continue to work hard to identify and bring offenders to justice.”

Liz Benson, NSPCC regional head of service, spoke about the national picture.

She said: “The truly awful thing is that more and more children are being abused so these pictures can be produced and distributed, and once in circulation they may stay there for many years.

“If we can halt this vile trade we will be saving countless children from suffering sexual assaults which have a huge impact on their lives.

“The authorities are working hard to clamp down on this but there are still far too many pictures available.

“There are obviously paedophile rings which make a sordid business of sharing these images,” added Ms Benson. “But there are now so many in circulation that people from all walks of life are accessing abusive images and getting caught with them.

“They have to understand these are not just images, they are crime scenes. Each image is a child being horribly abused.”

Chambers, who appeared at Carlisle Crown Court this week, also admitted five counts of voyeurism.

His overall sentence included a three-year community order, during which he will be supervised.

He was ordered to attend a sexual offenders’ treatment programme, he must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register and be subject to a sexual offences prevention order for five years.

Chambers was barred from working with vulnerable adults and children.

First published at 13:14, Thursday, 18 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk