How many indecent images cases get dropped?
According to a recent report by the UK-based National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), over 40% of indecent image cases are dropped by police. This means that over half of reported cases fall through the cracks, leaving the perpetrators unpunished and victims unprotected.
Indecent images cases are often dropped due to a lack of resources and manpower. Police forces often have to prioritize other cases and are unable to commit to tracking down and prosecuting those responsible for distributing and viewing indecent images. These cases often require a substantial amount of evidence and resources in order to be successfully prosecuted, and a lack of sufficient resources can lead to dropped cases.
Additionally, some police forces are reluctant to prosecute those who are viewing and distributing indecent images, viewing them as low priority or ‘victimless’ crimes. This reluctance can lead to a lack of determination to pursue these cases, resulting in a high rate of cases being dropped.
It is clear that there is a need for greater resources to be allocated to tackling the issue of indecent images. This should include more funding for police forces, as well as training and awareness-raising for staff so that they are better equipped to take on these cases and successfully secure convictions. Only then will we see a decrease in the number of indecent image cases being dropped.