CEOP to merge into new National Crime Agency

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) will merge into the National Crime Agency (NCA) under government plans expected to come into force next year.

The Home Office said this week that CEOP will operate across the UK and internationally as part of the NCA to tackle child sexual exploitation, and develop its vital work educating children and their carers on how to protect themselves online.

The Government said it expects to build on CEOP’s successes by ensuring it retains its name and unique brand as the national centre for child protection; its operational control; a separate budget; a governance structure which allows it to create and sustain innovative partnerships with the private sector and charities; and a multi-disciplinary workforce.

James Brokenshire, crime prevention minister, said: “Child protection is an absolute priority for this government. As a core part of the new NCA, CEOP will not only be in the best possible position to continue its vital work but will also benefit from being able to draw on the resources and support available across the whole agency.

“CEOP has been an amazing success and this government will always back its vital work.”

Peter Davies, chief executive of CEOP, added: “CEOP will continue with its own brand, its own approach and its own dedication to putting the safety and well being of children first.

“Only recently we have announced three major successes. Our programme to protect children through education – ThinkuKnow – won an unprecedented 12 awards at the International Visual Communication Award, while we have announced the outcome of two major operational successes. Those operations – Rescue and Alpine – collectively saw 192 children safeguarded and 332 suspects arrested in the UK alone. That is what we are about and I believe we have been given the mandate to build on that approach and continue that success.”