The National Crime Agency (NCA) has stated that the threat of child sexual abuse in the UK has reached critical levels and continues to grow. According to the agency, police across the country arrest an average of around 1,000 suspects in child sexual abuse cases each month.
An NCA representative noted that just a few years ago, this figure was 500–800 arrests per month, but now it consistently exceeds 1,000. At the same time, approximately 1,200 children are rescued and protected from sexual abuse and exploitation each month.
One week in January 2026 was particularly telling:
252 arrests of suspects in child sexual abuse
118 people charged
35 people sentenced
407 children taken into protective custody.
“The threat is getting worse,” the NCA emphasized. “Technology, social media algorithms, and closed online communities actively encourage people to commit such crimes. Children are increasingly exposed to risk on the everyday platforms they use.”
The agency estimates that between 710,000 and 840,000 adults in the UK have a sexual interest in children and pose varying degrees of threat. Law enforcement officials emphasize that there is no “typical” profile among the suspects—they come from all walks of life, professions, and regions.
Experts attribute the sharp increase in detected cases to an increase in the number of reports received, improved investigation methods, and closer cooperation between police forces in different regions.
The NCA urges parents, teachers, and all adults to be especially vigilant about their children’s online activity and to report any suspicious behavior or content immediately.