02/04/2026: Com Networks – Inflicting harm and committing a range of criminality.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has issued a high-level warning regarding sadistic online communities that are accessible in the UK. They refer to seemingly innocent online community networks, but can cause immense harm both online and offline, including physical, sexual and financial crimes.
Known as a Com Network (Community Network), these exclusive digital clubs operate on the fringes of mainstream platforms. Largely composed of teenage boys, these groups often move from mainstream social media (Facebook, Snapchat etc), gaming networks (E.g. Roblox) or other public forums to private group chats on platforms like Discord, Telegram or Instagram.
24/03/2026: QR codes to Drugs sites
DC Nick Burnett from our Serious Crime Unit appeared on BBC Crimewatch Live to explain how QR codes stuck on lamp posts, bus stops and other street furniture are used to target the sale of illegal harmful drugs at children and young people, especially if they are found near schools.
The QR codes feature bright eye-catching graphics designs, and the social media sites they lead to are designed to appeal to youngsters.
25/08/2026: Young care leavers dying early a ‘national tragedy’
Young adults who have left care have a death rate around four times higher than the general population, a new review, external shows.
24/08/2026: Children are ‘not safe’ on the internet: Stark warning as head of ‘Britain’s FBI’ tells Mail there are now up to 900 reports of child abuse online EVERY day
It is ‘not safe’ for children to go online, the head of the National Crime Agency has warned. Graeme Biggar issued a stark message to parents amid rocketing reports of child abuse on social media and gaming platforms.
24/08/2026: New guidance for parents and carers as AI-manipulated images of children become a growing concern
Parents and carers are being alerted to the growing threat of children’s images shared online being manipulated into AI generated sexual abuse material.
24/08/2026: Disrupting Livestreamed Child Sexual Abuse
Research briefing on the scale of livestreamed child sexual abuse in the UK and abroad; including technological solutions and regulatory approaches.
23/08/2026: ‘Let young people lead the way on anti-social behaviour’
For Sienna Ahir and her peers, witnessing the impact of anti-social behaviour has become a normal part of life.
22/08/2026: More students planning to live at home for university over ‘insane’ living costs
More new students are choosing to live at home for university this year than in the last nine years, new data shows.