THE number of people seeking help to stop viewing sexual images of children in Cheshire increased by a third last year.

New data shows that 891 people from Cheshire contacted the national helpline Stop It Now! in 2019 – up from 668 who made contact with the charity the previous year.

The confidential helpline supports people who are worried about the sexual thoughts, feelings and behaviour they – or someone close to them – have towards children.

Its advisers and website aim to help people understand what is triggering their illegal behaviour and get support to stop for good.

Calls remain confidential and anonymous, unless identifying details are given and a child is at risk of harm or a crime has been committed.

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David was in his early 30s and was travelling a lot due to his job.

He was using adult chat sites and was sent indecent images of children by someone that he was speaking to online.

He was arrested and given the number of the Stop It Now! helpline by an investigating officer. He phoned the next evening and called every day for two weeks.

After being on bail for a year and a half, he served a prison sentence.

After his release, he said: “I’ve lost friends and my life has changed in so many ways. My electronics are monitored and I’m limited in what jobs I can do.

"But I’m relatively lucky that my family stuck by me and I’ve had support that means I won’t offend in future.

“The Stop It Now! helpline was invaluable when I was in a dark place.

"Working with them through their helpline, website and also face-to-face helped me understand the consequences of what I’d done, but also helped me work out what I needed to change to make sure I don’t reoffend.

"I’d urge anyone worried about what they’re doing to get help before it’s too late.”

The surge in people contacting Stop It Now! follows the charity’s recent campaigning efforts, including with police forces across the north west in 2018.

The campaign aims to tackle online viewing of sexual images of under 18s by highlighting the consequences while pointing to help for people to change their illegal behaviour.

Donald Findlater, helpline director, said: “Tens of thousands of men in the UK are viewing and sharing sexual images of under 18s – these men are our friends, family, neighbours and colleagues.

"Some don’t know the law and need it spelling out. A few are struggling with a long-standing sexual interest in children and think that looking at ’only pictures’ is a way of containing that interest.

“Whoever they are, they need to know this behaviour is illegal, it is not a victimless crime and viewing the images creates demand for more.

"Serious consequences await those involved in this behaviour, but our helpline and website give anonymous, and confidential support and advice to stop and stay stopped.

“We help everyone be part of the solution to this problem. We hope to help thousands more in 2020."

Det Ch Supt Emily Higham from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: "It’s our continued priority and duty to protect children from sexual exploitation and from those who seek to do them harm, including those who access and share indecent images of children online.

“Tackling this horrendous crime is our priority and a national priority, together with our partners we are using all available resources to arrest more offenders, safeguard more children and where possible, prevent offending in the first place.

“Anyone who is concerned about the online habits of someone they know should seek help from Stop It Now. Their confidential child sexual abuse prevention helpline gives anonymous, effective support for those worried about their own or someone else’s online sexual behaviour.”

In 2018 the National Crime Agency estimated that 80,000 people in the UK posed a sexual threat to children online, and forces around the UK are making around 520 arrests each month relating to this.

The Stop It Now! helpline – which opened in 2002 – is run by The Lucy Faithfull Foundation. More than 46,000 people have contacted the helpline for support. Since 2015, more than 188,000 people in the UK have used its website.