Arrests made as police tackle child abuse across force area

West Mercia Police has made 14 arrests as part of an intensification week tackling child abuse, with 20 warrants executed at addresses across Shropshire, Telford and Worcestershire, with evidence indicating that the suspects were viewing indecent images of children or attempting to groom children online found at a number of addresses.

During the warrants 27 devices were seized. As a result, at least 33 children were safeguarded from harm. The operation, known as Operation Tucson, were tied to a National Crime Agency (NCA) intensification week. West Mercia Police has seen a 65% increase in child abuse referrals from 2024 to 2025.

Whilst a lot of this work goes unseen, West Mercia Police say they are working around the clock to protect children and young people. The warrants made best use of the force’s specialist capabilities to support investigations and preserve evidence in the best possible way. This includes a digital forensics van, which can be brought to any location, and a specially trained police dog who can track digital devices.

During the week, police delivered training to over 100 people covering the warning signs and symptoms of exploitation, shared real-world scenarios and empowered professionals and parents to intervene early.

Detective Inspector Joanne Mayo-Evans, from West Mercia Police’s Cyber Online Child Exploitation Team (OCSET) said:

“Our utmost focus is on protecting and safeguarding children. This week has brought to the forefront the unseen work we do every week, and many children are now safer as a result of it.

“We will relentlessly pursue those who cause harm to children and bring them to justice through the courts.

“We all have a part to play in keeping children safe, and we would encourage parents to have conversations with their children that may be difficult but are so important.”

“We are committed to working with professionals and parents and there are a number of resources available.

“Together we can help to keep children safe, and the public can be reassured that the police are acting on intelligence and catching offenders”

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said:

“A key priority within my Safer Communities Plan is a focus on ensuring the people causing the most harm are identified and brought to justice.

“This action is just one part of the ongoing efforts by West Mercia Police to protect children and support victims. I will continue to play my part too with the Family Matters service, I commission, recently recognised nationally for its support to victims of child abuse and their families.

“But this is not job done. Child abuse is a societal issue that policing alone cannot tackle. It also relies on strong partnership working across education, health, social care and the voluntary sector. Together, we can ensure children are safe and feel safe in West Mercia.”