More perverts are being snared in St Albans and Harpenden for sharing indecent images of children online, thanks to an innovative operation recently piloted by the police.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Newsome said that Herts Police ran ‘Operation Hera’ from April to late autumn last year, resulting in 54 arrests across the county over six months.
While he would not comment on specific arrests, he told the Herts Advertiser that the operation had been such a success that some people had approached the police seeking help because they feared they would be apprehended.
Nine forces were involved in the pilot programme across the UK, which was set up to bring to justice perverts who exploit vulnerable victims by using technology to pinpoint offenders and identify children at risk.
As a result, 48 children were safeguarded, for example through child protection orders, and Herts has seen a 60 per cent reduction in the number of people sharing indecent images of children online.
Because of its success, DCI Newsome said that “Operation Hera is here to stay – it has made such a difference”.
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