Police Scotland warns sexual predators to 'get help or get caught'
They require tech companies to take steps to protect children from illegal content and activities such as child sexual abuse, controlling or coercive behaviour, extreme pornography, and intimate image abuse.
This warning from the force follows the announcement by Police Scotland's Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation unit that, from April 2024 to July 2025, it conducted 863 investigations resulting in 604 arrests, with measures taken to protect 815 children.
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Detective Superintendent Nicola McGovern said: "Children are increasingly using games, apps, sites and streaming services and living more of their lives online.
"That means it's never been easier for strangers to connect with children and on some platforms, it can take just 30 seconds for a predatory adult to contact a child.
"Online child sexual abuse and exploitation through technology is an increasing problem in Scotland and officers from our National Child Abuse Investigation Unit work tirelessly to prevent children becoming victims and we will use all means at our disposal to search for and identify offenders.
"Any measures that protect children online should be welcomed and our deterrence campaign work with partners gives us the chance to prevent abuse before it happens, by diverting potential perpetrators from committing offences."
Police Scotland is also re-launching its "Get Help or Get Caught" online child sexual abuse prevention campaign.
This initiative, in partnership with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland's Stop It Now service, offers anonymous advice and support to prevent offending.
The child protection charity has partnered with Police Scotland since 2018 to run campaigns targeting those who pose the highest risk of harm to children.
Stuart Allardyce, director of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland, said: "The reasons for viewing sexual images of children or engaging in online grooming are complex, and many people recognise that what they are doing is wrong.
"Often, they feel trapped in a cycle of compulsive behaviour.
"Seeking individualised, anonymous, and non-judgmental support is absolutely the right step to take.
"We work with hundreds of people who are worried about their sexual thoughts or behaviour online or who have been arrested for offences involving children.
"We can help you stop and move on from offending or potential criminal behaviour, helping to protect and keep children safe."
The Get Help or Get Caught campaign will run on social media channels from Wednesday, July 23, for six weeks.
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