An operation carried out by Police Scotland, known as Operation Lattise, has identified 523 children as potential victims of online sex abuse.
There were 134 investigations between 6th June and 15th July which have led to raids on 83 suspect’s homes and the arrest of 77 people.
Charges include the sharing of indecent images, of children as young three, grooming, sexual extortion, firearm possession, bestiality, drug offences and rape. According to the police, at least 30 million indecent images were found.
122 of the 523, aged between three and eighteen, have been referred to child protection services.
The police combed through over 100,000 chat logs and live streams of sexual abuse. 547 computers and other devices have been seized.
The investigation was led by Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, who said “this is not sexting in terms of people sending abusive messages to each other.
“This is children being sexually abused and these images being shared.
“It is about real victims in Scotland and elsewhere. It’s about these horrific acts which ruin people’s lives and we need to make sure that stops.”
The offenders use online means primarily in order to target children, whether through websites, chatrooms or forums.
