Report Summary
This report provides members of the Policing Performance Committee with an overview of HMICS Assurance Review of Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation – Police Scotland Improvement Update.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Policing Performance Committee - 12 September 2023
Date : 12 September 2023
Location : online
Key Successes
Victim Identification and Child Abuse Images Database (CAID)
Over the past two years Police Scotland has invested heavily in promoting and supporting its small but effective OCSAE Victim Identification (VID) team. Located within the NCAIU, these officers investigate to identify children depicted in images recovered during investigations but whose identity is unknown. It is vital to resolve these identities to ensure the welfare of the children, invoke child protection processes and ensure safeguarding. The number of investigations supported by the VID team has increased by over 300% in the past year (172 in 2022/23) and Victim Referrals into the National Crime Agency (NCA) and CAID by over 100% (158 in 2022/23).
Police Scotland’s Digital Forensics team has significantly improved its compliance in terms of uploads to CAID and Police Scotland now features in the top 10 performing forces in the UK.
Pro-Active Approach – Operation Overview
Operation Overview is Police Scotland’s recently (November 2022) refreshed approach to the authorised use of the Undercover Online (UCOL) tactic. The authority enhances our ability to respond more efficiently and effectively to high harm OCSAE threats within Scotland, ultimately increasing our ability to protect children in Scotland.
Since the operation was launched, 36 males have been arrested and charged with various OCSAE offences, including grooming charges. 10 nominals have been identified in other jurisdictions, predominantly England and Wales, with evidential material provided to pertinent Home Office police forces, or other law enforcement, for progression.
