Justice Minister welcomes joint PSNI/ NCA operation
Date published:
Justice Minister, David Ford has praised a joint PSNI/NCA operation to bring perpetrators of child sexual exploitation to justice.
The ongoing operation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the National Crime Agency has led to 25 arrests of those involved in accessing indecent images of children online and also to the safeguarding and protection of children. It is the first joint operation of this type since the extension of the NCA’s powers here.
David Ford said: “Child sexual exploitation is among the worst crimes committed in our society. It has a devastating effect not only on the child involved but also their family.
“Through this joint operation the PSNI and NCA are sending a clear message to anyone involved in this despicable activity that they can, and will, track them down and bring them to justice.
"This is a very positive example of the added benefit of having the National Crime Agency fully operational in Northern Ireland, bringing additional expertise to the ongoing work of the PSNI in tackling the dreadful crime of child exploitation”.
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