71 suspected paedophiles were arrested last year by a specialist Regional Organised Crime Unit working in the Yorkshire and Humber Region.
The job of the unit, which was created a year ago and is based in Yorkshire, is to identify those who use the internet to contact children for sexual purposes and to safeguard victims and potential victims.
West Yorkshire Police said members of the team are active on social media channels, instant messaging apps and other online platforms where it is known children can be groomed.
Last year, the unit’s officers identified and protected 74 vulnerable children − either victims or those at direct risk of harm − through intervention and enforcement activity.
Detective Inspector Jonathan Best from the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit heads the investigations.
He said: “Our ability to identify those posing the greatest risk to children in the region has been significantly advanced by this unit.
“Online Child Abuse Activist Groups have emerged in recent times and there seems to be a perception that police are not doing this work − but that is absolutely not the case.
“We are active online, working alongside social media providers, and protecting children with great success. The unit and wider law enforcement community have the training and powers needed to take the necessary action to tackle those suspected of committing offences.
“This means that they carry out an investigation from start to finish and then present the evidence to court in any subsequent trial in a professional manner. This approach also means all safeguarding concerns are considered and addressed.
“The dedicated work of the unit and the overwhelming evidence gathered has meant that so far, every single person arrested and who has subsequently gone through the court process has been convicted.
“Our officers are looking for people who want to sexually abuse children in the Yorkshire and Humber region, however the nature of the internet means we have identified people all over the world. Some are willing to travel, or commit abuse online so we have forged international law enforcement partnerships to ensure no one is out of our reach."
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