77 Scottish Paedos arrested

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, who led the investigation, said: "This is not sexting in terms of people sending abusive messages to each other.

"This is children being sexually abused and these images being shared.
"It is about real victims in Scotland and elsewhere. It's about these horrific acts which ruin people's lives and we need to make sure that stops."

Jump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Media captionPolice Scotland on online child abuse investigation: 'cases never cease to horrify'

Mr Graham called on parents and carers to be "alert" but not alarmed and said there were people in society who used technology to identify children who may be vulnerable to exploitation.

The investigation involved officers analysing in excess of 100,000 online chat logs.
Examination of one device led officers to conclude that one adult suspect had been sexually communicating with more than 110 children and young people.

Det Insp Andy McWilliam, who was also involved in the investigation, said that new technology meant there was no way for perpetrators to hide or erase what they had done online.

'Covert technology'

He said: "Whether they throw the computer in the bath or not, we can find what they have looked at. And we can use covert technology to identify who you are and where you are.

Malcolm Graham said the investigation was about identifying real victims in Scotland and elsewhere
"These individuals want to be wherever children are. They are using websites, chatrooms and forums.
"These men - and it is predominantly men - are using the profiles of younger children to groom them and offend against them."

Police are also working with young people and parents to help raise awareness of the potential dangers of the internet.
They said a key aim was to prevent abuse from happening in the first place.
Figures from Police Scotland have shown that the number of recorded offences are growing each year.
In 2014-15, there were 23 offences of grooming children for the purposes of sexual offences. Last year it was 50 - an increase of 117%.

The offence of taking, distributing or possessing indecent images of children increased from 605 in 2014-15 to 645.
NSPCC Scotland policy and public affairs manager Joanna Barrett said the charity was becoming increasingly concerned about the harm caused to children through online activity.

In one instance Police Scotland found a suspect had made contact with 110 children
She said too many children were being exposed to dangerous and harmful content through the internet or were subjected to online harassment, grooming and sexual exploitation.

She said: "We recently highlighted how the internet is playing an increasing role in the sexual abuse of younger children in Scotland, with a 60% rise recorded over a year in the number of indecent communications offences carried out by adults against children aged under 13."

Early years minister Mark McDonald said the Police Scotland operation would help the government hone future child protection programmes.

He added: "Children and young people should be able to enjoy and learn from the internet, but we also want them to stay in control and know what to do and who to go to if they feel at risk.

"Keeping children safe is a priority for both Police Scotland and the Scottish government, so although there are many positive aspects to the online world I recognise, there are also risks we have to be aware of."

Hmmmmmm

A similar raid in 2003 got one of my university lecturers who was my dissertation supervisor at the time.

no cover up in bonnie jockland...shame you morris dancers hide and protect them.

No sign of him.....he supported Cliff Richard

30 million images sounds a lot -- are they really videos that are counted as 10 images a second or something?

BTW says he's blocked me yet replies to all my posts and even reposts them.

The Leopard... never really had much inter-play with you in the past but what you have written above could easily be construed as libel.

I would suggest you get apologising quickly.

You have clearly intimated that a forum member might be contravening the law in a prejudicial fashion.

The Leopard
Are you out on bail?

Care to explain that?

And would you like to show me the post where I claimed that cliff was a saint.
I merely said he was innocent until proven guilty whilst you had him guilty as charged (albeit he was never charged was he?) without trial.

This is a trading/Gambling forum, we assess the probabilities.....5 separate accusations....what are the odds?

The Leopard dislikes anyone who takes a different view to him and hits out like a spoiled child.
Maybe just crossed a line here. Time will tell. Not too long a time either.

Disgusting insinuation. Sue the **** aka if he doesn`t apologise.

I'll give you one last chance Leopard.

We can disagree Leopard and even get into a slagging match but lets agree that some things are not on.
I appreciate the apology btw, good man.

Where was bito when he was needed.

I'm still trying to think of that Scottish mp who had summat to do with the united nations. Think, ims, he gave Thomas Hamilton a gun licence....

Maybe, wouldn't like to say....may have had summat to do with boats on Scottish lochs and kids from children's homes.

Eeerm very much doubt it.

Has anyone got Kitty in the celebrity death sweep?

Quite fancy that Scottish bloke who can't remember things, who has currently announced a uk tour...

Nice to see after 2 users have a bit of a fall out & then seems all sorted!

Good stuff Leo / aka