UK police aid abuse probe in Philippines

The investigation, which has been going on for two years, focuses on what the UK’s National Crime Agency calls “a significant and emerging threat”, particularly in developing countries.

Three other investigations are taking place into live streaming of child sex abuse, with 139 Britons among the 733 suspects across the globe.

So far 17 Britons have been arrested as part of the Philippines inquiry, Operation Endeavour, which has spanned 12 countries and has seen involvement from police in the UK, Australia and the US.

Andy Baker, from the National Crime Agency, said: “This investigation has identified some extremely dangerous child sexual offenders who believed paying for children to be abused to order was something they could get away with.”