Police tackle internet child abuse ring

A UK co-ordinated online global child abuse network has been shut down following a 10-month investigation.

Led by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre (CEOP) and UK police, the investigation examined more than 700 suspects in 35 countries, of these, 200, including ring leader Timothy Cox, were based in the UK.

Kids the Light of Our Lives was an internet chat room dedicated to the sexual exploitation of children.

Hundreds of members worldwide used it to trade a range of material, including photographs and videos of children being subjected to sexual abuse and serious sexual assault.

It was shut down after intelligence linking the website's chat room to the UK, was passed to CEOP by Canadian partners within the Virtual Global Taskforce last August.

On receiving this information, specialist officers began enquiries to trace the host by using a range of “anti-terrorism tactics” including undercover online activity and surveillance.

Cox, using the pseudonym "Son of God", was arrested by officers from Suffolk Constabulary on 28 September 2006. More than 75,000 indecent and explicit images were found on his computer. Further evidence also showed that he had supplied more than 11,000 images to other site users.

After his arrest, officers from the CEOP Centre used his identity to identify further suspects who had been logging onto the network and secure vital information regarding potential victims, before closing down the site.

To date, the international operation has led to 31 children – mainly British based - being rescued from abuse or positions of harm.

John Carr, technology consultant at children’s charity the NCH, praised the investigation which he said used “innovative” methods to capture the suspects.

“The findings are a depressing reminder of the way technology is being abused. However, the internet cannot be blamed,” he told Computeractive.

“Although such crimes, such as showing the abuse in realtime, would not be possible without the internet, child abuse is going to take place no matter what.

“The innovation from the police in this investigation and the successful results clearly shows that those committing such horrific crimes cannot hide behind the internet façade. New tactics mean they will be found,” he said.

Jim Gamble, CEO of CEOP and chairman of the Virtual Global Taskforce agreed. He said: “Any individual who thinks they can carry out such horrific activities undetected is in for a very rude awakening.

“The belief that the internet provides anonymity is unfounded and it has already proved to be a costly misconception.

“As predators become increasing sophisticated in their use of the internet for exploiting young people, so too do the techniques we use to detect them. We will continue to work alongside local police forces and our law enforcement partners worldwide, to track and prosecute those who prey on young victims and to protect greater numbers of children from harm," he added.

Cox has been charged with nine offences relating to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children.

Under the terms of his sentence, he must satisfy the authorities that he is fit for release and does not pose any threat to the community before he can be set free.