A serving police officer has admitted more than 100 child sex offences which which saw him threaten and blackmail young victims who “lived in fear of him”. Lewis Edwards, from Bridgend, was found downloading indecent images of children following an investigation from the police force he worked for.
Police received information about suspicious online activity which involved indecent images of children downloaded from the dark web, reports WalesOnline. Edwards, who was then serving at South Wales Police, was identified, arrested, and then suspended from duty. He then resigned from the force.
Edwards, 23, has been charged with 106 offences including inciting children to make indecent images online and to engage in sexual activity. Appearing at Cardiff Crown Court, Edwards pleaded guilty. The investigation is ongoing and officers are continuing to support and update his victims.
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Detective superintendent Tracey Rankine, head of the South Wales Police’s online investigation team, said: “The scale and seriousness of the offences uncovered by our investigation is extreme and our priority has been to identify his victims and work with police forces across the UK to ensure they are safeguarded and supported. His abhorrent behaviour involved threatening and blackmailing his young victims who lived in fear of him.
“Our investigation has involved forensically examining encrypted computer equipment and mobile devices which led to the recovery of shocking material. The strength of this evidence has resulted in him admitting the charges against him.”
Assistant Chief Constable Danny Richards said: “The public will be as shocked and sickened as I am that such appalling offences have been committed by a serving police officer. The behaviour of Lewis Edwards only serves to damage the public’s trust and confidence in policing and undermines the work of the vast majority of responsible, hard-working police officers who serve the communities of South Wales with courage and pride. As soon as it came to light that Edwards was a serving police officer he was suspended and accelerated misconduct proceedings were brought against him which led to him being dismissed and barred from returning to policing.
“There is no place in South Wales Police for anyone who abuses the personal responsibility they hold as a police officer.”
He added: “Our number one priority is to protect the public so if anyone has any information about the safety of young or vulnerable people or those who pose a risk in our society then I urge them to come forward and report it to us.”
An accelerated misconduct hearing was held which delivered the sanction of dismissal. Edwards has been barred from working as a police officer.
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