A NEW campaign has been launched to tackle the viewing and sharing of indecent images of children online.

West Yorkshire Police has joined forces with a child protection charity and partner organisations to stage the region-wide initiative.

Social media, posters and other activities will be used to raise awareness of the issue and educate people about the harm caused to youngsters.

And offenders will be warned about the consequences they face if caught.

Jointly heading the campaign is the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, which works to prevent people from viewing illegal material and helps those already involved to stop.

Detective Superintendent Jon Morgan, head of the West Yorkshire Police safeguarding central governance unit, said tackling all forms of child abuse was a top priority for the force.

He added: “Many people don’t consider the viewing and sharing of indecent images of children in the same vein as contact offences but behind every image or video is a child who has been abused and continues to be abused with every download.

“We treat this offending very seriously and every year arrest hundreds of people for possession and distribution of indecent images. The force works closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to take cases to court and ensure offenders face justice, including being made to sign the Sex Offenders Register.

“Our main aim will always be to eliminate the market for indecent images and to protect child victims, but what we do find is that people involved in this kind of offending are often also suffering themselves.

“Unlike most other crimes, when we arrest people in relation to indecent images offences some are actually relieved. They have found themselves in a pattern of damaging behaviour that they can’t see a way out of.

“The Lucy Faithfull Foundation’s work with those already offending or about to offend, to educate and support them in changing from a path that is hurting themselves and others, is vital.”

Backing is also being provided by West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson.

He said: “I am pleased to be able to support this crucial campaign, which highlights the serious ramifications of viewing these abusive images online.

“It builds on the work already being done in West Yorkshire with partners to ensure offenders know they will be caught and dealt with robustly.

“Safeguarding our young people remains a key focus in my Police and Crime Plan and this campaign spells out in no uncertain terms the profound consequences of viewing abusive images of those under the age of 18.”