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.
29/04/2026: Meta found in breach of EU law for failing to keep children off platforms
Commission says tech company does not have effective measures to keep under-13s off Facebook and Instagram
29/04/2026: Children and victims of child sexual abuse are being ‘failed’, warns charity as EU found to host 63% of world’s criminal child sexual abuse webpages
More than half of the global child sexual abuse URLs (310,437) identified by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) in 2025 were traced to hosting services in EU member states
28/04/2026: Social media restrictions for under-16s even if no ban, minister says
The government is committed to implementing social media restrictions for under-16s but ministers must “make sure it works” before introducing changes, the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has told the BBC.
27/04/2026: Youth workers voice concerns over job security and lack of training
Just four out of 10 youth workers feel secure about the future of their role and only two-thirds are confident they will be working in the sector in a year’s time, a poll has revealed.
24/04/2026: National Youth Sector Census opens for youth organisations
Youth groups across England are being encouraged to take part in this year’s National Youth Sector Census, which gathers key information on the health of organisations supporting young people.
24/04/2026: ‘Identify NEET risk in early childhood’, says think-tank
Children as young as five could be identified as at risk of being not in education, employment or training (Neet) when older so that support can be targeted at them early, a think-tank has said.