Online child abuse is a 'national threat' say police as reports rise by nearly 6% Online child abuse has been desribed as a "national threat" by police after figures showed a rise in the cyber crime during the last year. A total of 1,966 online child sex abuse crimes were logged by Police Scotland during 2020-21, a rise of nearly 6% on the previous year and nearly 25% greater than the five-year average. The force’s performance report notes that 434 children were identified and safeguarded by officers hunting online child abusers during the period between September and March, with 277 people arrested. The rise in online crimes “underlines the need for policing in Scotland to build capacity and capability in the virtual space”, said Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor.