Parents Suspected of CSAM

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/26/010071/I

Version Date: 30/06/2026

The Public Protection & Performance Unit has provided the following information:

Aim: to explore how a child is protected from future harm after a parental guardian is suspected of a child sexual abuse material (CSAM) offence in the UK.

NOTE: this is regarding children who are not thought to have been a direct victim of intra-familial child sexual abuse by a parent.

1) Does the current police data system capture whether an individual being investigated for a CSAM related offence has parental responsibility for a child?

Yes

2) Do police officers purposefully undertake a search warrant at a family residence at a time where any children registered at the address are likely to be present?

Warrants are executed when it is most likely for the suspect to be present. If there are children recorded at the address, we plan for this by carrying out very low-key arrests. We also deploy 2 Safeguarding Officers who have the role of supporting children and partner at the address.

3) If a search warrant is undertaken in a family residence would the non-suspect parent be left with access to the NPCC Family Pack? If yes:
a) In what format do you share the Family Pack?

Physical booklet and digital format.

b) Does the Family Pack contain information about support services available locally and are any of these specifically for children (please state which ones)?

Our family pack contains signposting to Lucy Faithful Foundation, Stop it Now, Parents Protect, Acts Fast, Safer Lives, Samaritans, StopSo, Childline, NSPCC.

4) Would a police officer routinely make a safeguarding referral to social services before beginning a CSAM investigation if it is known that the individual has regular unsupervised access to a child?

Yes

5) If a safeguarding referral has been made by police in relation to a CSAM investigation, would social services routinely be sent updates in the following circumstances?:
a) Suspect held on remand after the initial arrest.

b) Suspect bailed to an alternative address away from a family residence.

c) Suspect bailed with conditions that limits contact with children under 18.

d) Suspect released under investigation without bail conditions.

e) Suspect has bail conditions lifted however remains under investigation.

f) Investigation has concluded with no further police action required.

g) Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges for the suspect.

Yes for A to G.

h) Date of the first court hearing.

Sometimes

i) Outcome of the court case.

Sometimes

6) When a suspect shared a primary residence with a child under the age of 18 at the start of an investigation and a search warrant was undertaken at that property, would the investigation team directly update the non-suspect parental guardian in the following circumstances?:

a) Suspect held on remand after the initial arrest.

b) Suspect bailed to an alternative address away from a family residence.

c) Suspect bailed with conditions that limits contact with children under 18.

d) Suspect released under investigation without bail conditions.

e) Suspect has bail conditions lifted however remains under investigation.

f) Investigation has concluded with no further police action required.

g) Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges for the suspect.

h) Date of the first court hearing.

i) Outcome of the court case.

Yes for all sections.

7) When it is known that a suspect has established unsupervised contact arrangements with a child who resides elsewhere, would a police officer directly contact the child's primary parental guardian in the following circumstances?:
a) Suspect held on remand after the initial arrest.
b) Suspect bailed with conditions that limits contact with children under 18.
c) Suspect released under investigation without bail conditions.
d) Suspect has had bail conditions lifted however remains under investigation.
e) Investigation has concluded with no further police action required.
f) Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges for the suspect.
g) Date of the first court hearing.
h) Outcome of the court case.

Yes for all sections.

REQUEST 2:
8) Does the current police data system capture whether an individual found guilty of a CSAM offence has parental responsibility for a child?

Yes

9) Would a sex offender manager update social services in the following circumstances?:
a) An offender initially registering as a sex offender.

Yes

b) An offender had demonstrated an increase in risky behaviour.

Depends on nature of the risk/behaviour

c) The offender breached a sentencing requirement.

Depends on the circumstances and nature of the breach

d) An offender completed their Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis

e) An individual is no longer required to register as a sex offender.

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis

10) Would a sex offender manager directly update a primary parental guardian of a child under 18 for whom an individual is likely to see regularly of the following?:
a) That the individual was now a registered sex offender.

Yes

b) The offender had demonstrated an increase in risky behaviour.

Depends on the nature of risk/behaviour, but generally yes, either directly or via child services as appropriate.

c) The offender breached a sentencing requirement.

Depends on the nature of the breach, reviewed on a case-by-case basis

d) The offender has completed their Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis

e) The individual is no longer required to register as a sex offender.

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.