Online child abuse: new law to stop soliciting photos

In England and Wales it is illegal to be in posession of explicit photos with children, but not to ask children to send them. David Cameron announed a new offence to be created to stop paedophiles soliciting such photos from children online or via mobiles.

Mr Cameron stressed, that "there can be no grey areas here", as asking a child to take their clothes off and sharing a picture online will make the paedophiles as guilty as if they did it in person.

The offense of secual communication with a child will carry a sentence of imprisonment for up to two years. It will also be made illegal to have in posessions materials that offer guidance on abusing children. Serious Crime Bill currently going through Parliament will be used to introduce these new measure.

The prime minister also announced a new unit set up to tackle abuse images on the "dark net". This joint GCHQ and National Crime Agency unit will pursue paedophiles who share abuse images.