Following a search at Longford on Thursday 27 May 2021, officers from the Tasmania Police High Risk Child Exploitation Unit today arrested a 24-year-old Longford man and charged him with one count of possess child exploitation material.

Detective Inspector Craig Joel said the man was also charged with one count of possess a prohibited firearm to which a firearms licence may not be issued (a gel blaster which was identical in appearance to a Glock 17 pistol).

The man was bailed to appear on 11 August 2021 in the Launceston Magistrates Court.

Detective Inspector Joel said: “Conversations about on-line safety with children from an early age is important because studies show that once a child is harmed by an online predator, they will be impacted for life.”

“Some on-line predators in Tasmania target children through social networking, image or video sharing apps or instant messaging and will befriend them with compliments or even gifts and money. Most on-line predators will groom children to produce sexual exploitation material. They might ask children to model clothing or provide naked pictures of themselves for money.”

More people are using computers due to COVID19 than before. “A general shift in a child’s mood or behaviour or computer usage – perhaps later in the evening – may be a sign an on-line predator is encouraging a child to keep a secret, or making them feel ashamed.”

If you believe a child is in imminent danger, contact Tasmania Police on 000 or visit your local police station.

Online child sexual exploitation can be reported to https://www.accce.gov.au/report

eSafety has also developed specific resources for parents and educators and a reporting portal. Visit www.esafety.gov.au