The number of people seeking help from a phone line which works with those wanting to stop viewing sexual images of children online has risen sharply.

In 2018, combined callers and visitors from those groups in Eastern England to the anonymous Stop It Now! helpline and self-help website increased by 51 per cent compared to 2016, including calls from more than 80 offenders.

The rise was announced following a pledge by Home Secretary Sajid Javid to give £600,000 in funding to the child sexual abuse prevention helpline.

The Stop It Now! deterrence campaign was launched in October 2015 to discourage people from viewing illegal sexual images of children online, and to offer help to those wanting to change their behaviour. It also supports the families and friends of offenders, and professionals.

Director of the Stop It Now! helpline, Donald Findlater, said: “People viewing sexual images of children online need to know this is not a victimless crime - children are harmed when these images are first made, and afterwards when they are viewed or shared again. There are serious consequences for anyone arrested for such behaviour, possibly including imprisonment, losing their job, friendships and relationships, losing contact with their own children as well as ending up on the sex offenders register.

“Confidential help is available to stop viewing these images and to stay stopped. Over these last three years thousands of people, mostly men, have come to us for help to get their lives back on track. This additional funding will ensure thousands more get through to stop their illegal behaviour and stay stopped.”

Since the start of the deterrence campaign, 5,114 people have called the helpline seeking advice and support to stop viewing online sexual images of children.

A further 2,418 people called for support regarding concerns about someone else’s online viewing behaviour.