Independent Police Complaints Commission
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IPCC identifies failings within CEOP in their handling of intelligence

An IPCC investigation into how the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) dealt with information provided by Canadian police found failings with how material had been handled. 

CEOP was formed in 2006 to work nationally and internationally to bring those suspected of committing online offending against children before the courts. One of CEOP’s primary functions was to develop the information it receives into intelligence which can be disseminated to a law enforcement body or other agencies for appropriate action to be taken.

In July 2012 Toronto Police provided CEOP with an information package which contained the details of a large number of customers who had accessed a Canadian website and purchased films which it was suspected contained indecent images of children. At that time CEOP was under the command of the Serious Organised Crime Agency, which the National Crime Agency (NCA) replaced in October 2013.

The information had come from an investigation which the Canadian authorities had been carrying out since 2010.  The investigationwas known as Operation Spade. Following a request by Toronto Police in October 2013 for an update on progress with the intelligence it became apparent that the information had not been fully processed or sent to UK police forces for their consideration. At that time, the NCA, identified a number of concerns were identified about the handling of information. The NCA actioned the intelligence and commissioned two internal reviews to ensure that processes were improved. All of the recommendations of these reviews were accepted and have been implemented.

The NCA also referred the matter to the IPCC in September 2014 and an IPCC investigation began.  This looked at how the information was handled and who had responsibility for owning and progressing the intelligence. 

The investigation found that the initial handling and assessment of the material had been appropriate.

The primary issues of concern identified by the investigation related to how the information had thereafter been dealt with including what appeared to be the lack of formal procedures for reviewing the progress of referrals. There was evidence of a lack of a general understanding or agreement as to who had ownership of the issue for some time, disagreements as to which team within the organisation might have the capacity to take the lead and consider and process the information most appropriately. 

Decisions in respect of the Toronto police referral had not been taken and there had been a lack of adequate supervision.  This was against the background of, at that time, there being a significant backlog of work and other information to deal with within CEOP. As a result the information was not dealt with in a timely manner.

As a result of the IPCC investigation, a police officer, who had been seconded to CEOP at the time, faced misconduct proceedings for allegedly failing in his duties and responsibilities. At a meeting on Monday 10th October the allegations were found not proven.

Management advice was also provided to a member of NCA staff.

IPCC Commissioner Carl Gumsley said:

“The IPCC investigation produced evidence to show that the intelligence provided by the Canadian authorities was poorly handled by the CEOP Centre. The NCA had already identified this fact and had commissioned two internal reviews which had already made a number of recommendations that were accepted by the Agency and CEOP, to improve its processes. This, at least, is something positive to come out of this matter.”

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre was affiliated to the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). In 2013, it became a command of the new National Crime Agency.

 

Channel website: https://policeconduct.gov.uk/

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