A CAMPAIGN targeting perpetrators of online child sexual abuse has been launched by police.

The #StopItNow campaign warns people who groom children or involve them in sexual activity that chances are, they will be caught.

Latest figures show that nearly 1,600 crimes where an individual communicated with a child for sexual purposes were recorded by Police Scotland between April 2018 and February 2019, up from 1,400 the previous year.

Police said the perpetrator was arrested and charged in almost 70 per cent of cases in the past 12 months, and investigations still remain live in many of the other reported crimes.

The #StopItNow campaign will appear on social media channels and outdoor adverts.

Gillian MacDonald, assistant chief constable, lead for Crime and Protection at Police Scotland, said: “Perpetrators of online child abuse are single minded, targeting children using messaging apps.

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“This includes crimes of grooming children for sexual purposes, indecently communicating with children and causing children to participate in sexual activity.

“Offenders come from all walks of life, and all age groups. Their motivations vary.

“Some may not see children as victims, they may not see themselves as abusers. Most don’t believe they will get caught.

“As our figures show, the vast majority of those who engage with children for sexual purposes, who groom or attempt to groom will be caught. They will face the consequences of their actions, their families will find out and they will face public exposure.”

She urged offenders or those who think they may offend to get help from an organisation such as child protection charity Stop It Now! - who provide support to people with “problematic sexual thoughts” and who may be at risk of sexual offending, as well as raising awareness about how to protect children from abuse.