Argyll and Bute’s most senior police officer has described a shock rise in offences involving indecent images in the area as ‘a wake-up call’ for communities.
Steep was speaking as a report revealed that more than half of all such offences – 49 out of 78 – dealt with by officers between April and December 2020 involved children aged between 10 and 15.
That total is twice as many as the 34 such offences committed in the area during the same period in 2019.
The chief superintendent was speaking at a virtual meeting of the area’s community planning partnership yesterday.
Chief Supt Paterson said: “We have seen a rise from 34 recorded crimes to 78, but 49 involved kids between 10 and 15.
“If that is not a wake-up call for us all, then I don’t know what is.
“I report frequently on recorded incidents, but I say it again and again – that is only a small portion of what is going on.”
A report to the community services committee in December had also stated that 30 out of 50 recorded crimes for indecent images from July to September involved children aged 10-14.
The report for October to December also said that 181 cyber crimes were committed in Argyll and Bute in that time – an increase of 50 on the same period the previous year.
Sixty-four of those related to online fraud, 59 to indecent communication or images, 48 to threatening messages via social media, five to extortion and three to breaches of bail.
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