Spies to help child abuse experts target Britain's worst online paedos

The National Crime Agency (NCA) will join forces with GCHQ spooks to hunt down paedophiles on the ‘dark net’, David Cameron will announce today

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Target: Keith Bristow delivered a stark warning

A new ‘internet hit squad’ of tech-savy cops and spooks will target Britain’s worst online child abusers after police admitted they are swamped with cases.
Child abuse experts at the National Crime Agency (NCA) will join forces with GCHQ spies to hunt down paedophiles on the ‘dark net’, David Cameron will announce today.
NCA boss Keith Bristow delivered a stark warning that referrals to his online child abuse officers have soared almost 25% in just three years.
He said his team are now dealing with 400 new cases a week and that it is “an unpalatable truth” that many of Britain’s paedophiles will never face justice.
He said potential paedophiles should be offered “support” by medical experts before they commit crimes.
“This is not about law enforcement’s appetite to bring these horrible people to justice,” Mr Bristow said.
“It is about targeting the most risky first, and it’s about the sheer scale of the problem and the practicalities with tackling it.”

A general view of GCHQ in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire — Base: GCHQ in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

The NCA says online paedophiles are increasingly tech-savvy and use the so-called ‘dark web’ to hide their identities.
But experts say they can still be identified and the new hit-squad will target the most prolific offenders.
Major tech firms like Google and Facebook have also agreed a package of measures to stop known child abuse images being viewed on their servers.
Speaking on the second day of a major conference on online child abuse in London, Mr Cameron will describe the deal as a “watershed moment”.
The PM will say: “The so-called ‘dark-net’ is increasingly used by paedophiles to view sickening images.
“I want them to hear loud and clear - we are shining a light on the web’s darkest corners.
“If you are thinking of offending, there will be nowhere for you to hide.”
But speaking at the same conference yesterday Mr Bristow admitted it is “not realistic” to prosecute every one of Britain’s suspected 50,000 online paedophiles.
He said many offenders should be offered medical treatment but insisted that was “no alternative to criminal justice intervention”.
And he begged potential paedophiles to come forward and seek help before they commit crimes.
“We do need a more rational debate about those people who recognise they have a sexual interest in children, but have not yet offended,” the top cop said.
“For (them) the right help at the right time would prevent abuse from taking place.
“It should not be taboo for us to talk about supporting those people and their families.”