0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:07 > 0:00:10- Secrets...
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- ..lies...
0:00:12 > 0:00:13- ..deceit...
0:00:14 > 0:00:15- ..violence.
0:00:16 > 0:00:21- Every criminal case is a distinct - challenge for the detective.
0:00:24 > 0:00:29- To discover the truth, - they need patience and curiosity.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43- Tonight, North Wales Police open - the doors of a special unit...
0:00:43 > 0:00:48- ..that targets offenders who abuse - and corrupt children online.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- We arrest them at every opportunity - and put them in prison.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- We'll learn how one covert - investigation caught a London man...
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- ..who was on his way to North Wales - to meet a thirteen-year-old girl.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- We watched him drive down the A55.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- And how did they catch a North Wales - offender who was paying...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- ..to watch boys - being sexually abused...
0:01:15 > 0:01:17- ..on the other side of the world?
0:01:18 > 0:01:22- We're talking about children being - raped in the Philippines...
0:01:22 > 0:01:26- ..while he's sitting in his bedroom - livestreaming it.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57- Cases of online child sex abuse - are on the rise in Britain.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01- Catching sex abusers who target - and exploit children online...
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- ..is a huge challenge - for the police.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25- In St Asaph, North Wales Police have - a special unit called POLIT.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30- It carries out investigations - to catch sex offenders.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34- It was set up in October 2015...
0:02:34 > 0:02:37- ..because of the rise in offences.
0:02:37 > 0:02:42- It was important for us, as a force, - to bring our skills together...
0:02:42 > 0:02:45- ..so that we could deal - with these new cases.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49- We have experts with skills - in digital forensics...
0:02:49 > 0:02:53- ..and also researchers - with a detective background.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- We also have a team specialising - in cyber crime.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- It's a newly established team.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- One of the first things they do - with a suspect...
0:03:05 > 0:03:08- ..is examine any digital devices - in their possession.
0:03:10 > 0:03:16- On this side, we have people - examining mobile phones and tablets.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21- This work is increasing too. They've - replaced desktops and laptops.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- This is where the work starts.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- The jobs comes into the unit here...
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- ..and the technical people strip - down laptops and computers.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37- With the rise in Internet use, - the team face an enormous challenge.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- The rise in the use of social media - has brought new dangers...
0:03:41 > 0:03:43- ..especially for children.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- We can't afford to not understand - the Internet anymore.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- We all have to understand it and - know what we're doing with it.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55- If you give a 12-year-old - a new phone...
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- ..you have to know what apps - they're going to use.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- It's important that parents and - families understand the threat...
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- ..so that they can avoid - becoming victims.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- Tonight, the team shares - a recent case file with us.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36- In August 2016, a London man began - communicating online...
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- ..with a thirteen-year-old girl - from North Wales.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- The man's name was James Shand.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- The pair began chatting via an app - called Kik Messenger.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- The girl made it very clear - that she was thirteen years old.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- But he wasn't as honest with her.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- On his Facebook profile, he called - himself a dynamic boy...
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- ..and said that he was 23 years old.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11- But James Shand was really - 30 years old.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19- They chatted online and by telephone - for about a month.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23- The language was sexual.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- He sent her sexy pictures - of himself.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33- He was talking about the future, - saying that he wanted to marry her.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38- It was very worrying, really.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45- The detectives - have shared his messages with us.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56- In one chat, they discuss meeting up - and where they should go to eat.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06- But other comments by Shand suggest - that he had a more sinister aim.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20- The girl tells him - that she's never had sex...
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- ..and that she isn't ready - to have babies yet.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- James Shand arranges a date - to meet her in Rhyl.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- He books a hotel room - near Liverpool.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- He'd booked a room in a hotel...
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- ..in Warrington with a double bed.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50- He sent her a picture - of the booking...
0:06:51 > 0:06:56- ..via Kik Messenger to confirm - that he'd booked it.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- She replies that she is afraid of - what might happen at the hotel.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- He tries to persuade her to go - to the hotel...
0:07:11 > 0:07:15- ..and promises her rose petals - and chocolate.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- September 10 is the big day.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- That morning, detectives monitor - his online messages.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- We knew when he was coming.
0:07:36 > 0:07:41- He'd sent a picture of his car.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- We knew - exactly what he'd be driving.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- So we decided to lie in wait - for him.
0:07:53 > 0:07:54- On Saturday morning...
0:07:54 > 0:07:59- ..the police heard that his car had - left London just before 7.00am.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- Then at 10.45, the car was seen - arriving in North Wales.
0:08:03 > 0:08:09- James Shand was here on the A55 - travelling in the direction of Rhyl.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- We received confirmation that - James Shand was on his way.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- He sent a picture of himself - at a service station to the girl...
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- ..to say that he was on his way.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- We watched him drive down the A55.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- It was very exciting to know - that he was coming.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35- We saw him on the cameras.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38- The team were in two cars.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40- One was a traffic vehicle...
0:08:40 > 0:08:45- ..waiting for him under a bridge - on the A55.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49- This vehicle followed him - and stopped him in St Asaph.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- The team arrest James Shand and take - him into custody in St Asaph.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07- He was in shock. - He certainly hadn't expected this.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- He didn't get the weekend - he'd been expecting.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19- While in custody, he asked - detectives to contact the girl...
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- ..in case she was waiting for him.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- But the detectives have a secret - to share with him.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31- The girl was an undercover officer. - There was no 13-year-old girl.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35- It had been the undercover officer - from the beginning.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- They had succeeded in deceiving him.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- The 13-year-old girl - was a TITAN detective...
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- ..a specialist from the North West - Regional Organised Crime Unit.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- He clapped his hands and said, - "Well done!"
0:09:58 > 0:10:02- James Shand admitted that he'd - travelled to North Wales...
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- ..with the intention of meeting - the girl in Rhyl.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- He said that he'd intended taking - her to Liverpool for the day.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- He denied meeting her - for sexual purposes.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- He said that he didn't remember - sending any pictures...
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- ..or comments of a sexual nature - to the child.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- But the detectives had a record - of all his messages.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- His journey to North Wales - and his hotel booking were proof...
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- ..that he'd intended to - realize his fantasy.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- He could have said that he would - never have driven to North Wales...
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- ..and that the whole thing - was a fantasy.
0:10:42 > 0:10:43- He would never have gone.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- But, of course, the reason - we allowed him to travel...
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- ..was so that we could prove that - he was serious about this...
0:10:52 > 0:10:57- ..and that he was prepared to meet - this girl and take her to a hotel.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- James Shand pleaded guilty...
0:11:00 > 0:11:05- ..to the charge of communicating - with a child under the age of 16...
0:11:06 > 0:11:09- ..with the intention - of committing a sexual act.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- In November 2016, - at Mold Crown Court...
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- ..he was sentenced to 21 months - in prison...
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- ..and placed on the Sex Offenders' - Register for ten years.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- Although - there was no 13-year-old girl...
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- ..there so easily could have been.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- Unfortunately, there are cases - where children of that age...
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- ..are online and communicating - with people...
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- ..and this can have - serious consequences.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- It's very satisfying to have - arrested someone like that...
0:11:44 > 0:11:49- .. and put him in prison, because it - could have been a real child.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57- Usually, the team are dealing with - real children who are being abused.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02- In Part Two, I hear how they caught - one man who paid to watch...
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- ..children being raped - on the other side of the world...
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- ..from his home - on the North Wales coast.
0:12:09 > 0:12:10- .
0:12:17 > 0:12:17- Subtitles
0:12:17 > 0:12:19- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:25 > 0:12:26- Every day...
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- ..North Wales Police Paedophile - On-line Investigation Team...
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- ..investigate cases - of online child abuse.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42- Within the team, there are experts - that extract hidden data...
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- ..from all the data they receive.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- This is where our digital forensics - team is based.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00- This is where the team undertake - the work of unpicking the data.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- Then the enquiry continues - from there.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10- The team use the latest techniques - to catch the most cunning offenders.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- It's a huge challenge.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- Online offending is changing - every day.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- It's important that we stay - one step ahead...
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- ..and that we understand - how offences are committed.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29- In a recent case, the offender - was on the unit's doorstep.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43- In 2012, - the National Crime Agency...
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- ..began an international - investigation into online abuse...
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- ..after receiving an anonymous - tip-off from South East Asia.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- There was an operation - in the Philippines...
0:13:54 > 0:14:00- ..where a subject was identified - out there who was a gang leader.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05- He was using children - in order to obtain cash...
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- ..from people - throughout the world...
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- ..who were paying for the services - of the children online.
0:14:13 > 0:14:18- In November 2014, North Wales Police - received information...
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- ..that one of those making payments - lived in their area.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- The name of the person - was Lee Roberts.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- He had been making electronic - payments online...
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- ..through the Western Union bank.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- The payments were sent - to individuals in the Philippines.
0:14:43 > 0:14:49- In March 2013, he made his first - payment of 50.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- The payments continued monthly.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- 77 payments in all.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03- Until the final one - in October 2014 of 14.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- But they needed more evidence.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- Why was 32-year-old Lee Roberts - from Kinmel Bay...
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- ..making these payments and to whom?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- On November 26, 2014...
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- ..Lee Roberts was arrested - at his home in Kinmel Bay.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37- Police took away all his computers - and mobile phones for examination.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- He answered the door readily enough.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- We went in and arrested him. - His parents were there.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- We seized his computers - and mobile phones.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- We took everything with us - back to St Asaph.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- When he was arrested, - there was no emotion shown.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- His caution reply was something like - he'd only done it the once...
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- ..whereas, obviously, - when we examined the computers...
0:16:05 > 0:16:09- ..we were able to show that he was - quite a prolific offender.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- At his parents' home - in Kinmel Bay...
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- ..he'd downloaded thousands of - images and dozens of videos...
0:16:20 > 0:16:24- ..including indecent images of boys - between the ages of 6 and 15.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- The images consist of various - levels, if you like.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- How much money he'd paid...
0:16:32 > 0:16:37- ..would determine how much abuse - these individuals would undertake.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- It was a range of sexual abuse - culminating in rape.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45- On his computer, these pictures - show a room in the Philippines...
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- ..full of computers - and young children chatting.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55- Detectives discovered that - Lee Roberts was paying more...
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- ..to see the children - in a private room.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- This is where the worst - sexual abuse happened.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13- He directed the children to perform - sexual acts on each other via Skype.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19- Most of the evidence is too horrific - to show on television.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- We're talking about children...
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- ..young boys aged 6 to 15 - years old...
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- ..being raped in the Philippines...
0:17:52 > 0:17:57- ..while he's sitting in his bedroom - in Kinmel Bay livestreaming it.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18- The pictures found on the computer - were in the worst abuse category.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- The evidence affected the team.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37- I was talking to the analysts - who went through the Skype chats.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- They could see that these children - were being abused...
0:18:41 > 0:18:46- ..while Lee Roberts - was paying for it.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51- This had a big impact on the - analysts and on the investigators.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- It is a disturbing case.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- When you see these images...
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- ..you just have to deal with it - in a professional manner...
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- ..and try and move on.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- We have so many of these - types of jobs.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- I wouldn't say you get used to it, - but you get hardened to it.
0:19:10 > 0:19:11- It is shocking.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- We offer welfare counselling - to all staff.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- There is welfare screening - every six months for staff.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- We see horrific pictures and videos.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- But we don't just see them, - we have to listen to things as well.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33- One of the things that staff - find most difficult...
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- ..is listening to the videos - and the sounds of the children.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50- The images on Lee Roberts' computer - were horrific.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- But there was more evidence - to uncover.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- He would capture a video - that he was filming on Skype...
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- ..where he was asking these children - to abuse themselves for cash.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06- He would video that...
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- ..but he would also then - distribute it to others.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- So, then, you've got images - of those children...
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- ..being distributed worldwide - at the touch of a button.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- Lee Roberts was charged with - possessing and distributing...
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- ..indecent images of children.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- He was also charged with encouraging - children to commit sexual acts.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- During his interview, Lee Roberts - admitted the charges against him.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- He said that he was lonely, gay and - had made friends on social media...
0:20:40 > 0:20:43- ..before encouraging them - to commit sexual acts.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- He said that he had stopped - doing it.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- He knew it was wrong - and that he had broken the law.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- At Mold Crown Court, - he pleaded guilty.
0:20:57 > 0:21:03- In March 2016, he was sentenced - to six years in prison.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07- He'll be on the Sex Offenders' - Register for life.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14- I was pleased that we were able to - protect children in the Philippines.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- But also, we've made sure that - children in North Wales are safe.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- The team has shared information - with police from across the world.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- This has led to another sex offender - being charged in Germany.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- The gang leader in the Philippines - has been caught.
0:21:32 > 0:21:37- But there is little information - about the children's welfare.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41- The investigation into this - international network continues.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- It's been a never-ending circle - of sharing intelligence...
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- ..from one investigation - to another.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- The investigation grows...
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- ..and identifies various - offenders throughout the world.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59- It was the start of an investigation - that has now become worldwide.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- In this case, - although the boys being abused...
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- ..were from the Philippines...
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- ..it was a Welshman who was - organising and encouraging them...
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- ..from his home, - here in North Wales.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- Cases of sharing indecent images - are extremely common.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- The task of catching the offenders - is a huge one for the police.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- But always on the minds - of the detectives...
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- ..are the children who are being - abused and scarred for life.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47- Regardless of whether they're live - images or still pictures...
0:22:47 > 0:22:52- ..that they're viewing, there are - victims at the end of these crimes.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- There are a lot of people out there - who are targeting children...
0:22:56 > 0:22:58- ..via the Internet.
0:22:58 > 0:23:04- We arrest them at every opportunity - and put them in prison.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10- The threat is enormous. - To children and to the community.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14- North Wales Police's aim - is to protect children.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- To make sure that children - and communities are safe.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
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