NWROCU detectives achieve milestone in Operation Meteor

Detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) have reached a significant milestone in their ongoing investigation into online child sexual offences across the region, with over 1,000 arrests made to date.

Since the launch of Operation Meteor in December 2021, NWROCU investigations led to the arrest of 1015 individuals and the safeguarding of more than 400 young people, demonstrating ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and safeguarding our communities. 

To date, 577 of these offenders have been sentenced to a combined total of 565 years in prison. Additionally, more than 480 Sexual Harm Prevention Orders have been issued.

Examples of the NWROCU investigations as part of Operation Meteor include: 

In March 2023, Anthony Goward from Braunstone, Leicestershire was jailed for arranging to commit child sexual abuse offences. He drove more than 100 miles to Warrington, Cheshire to meet with a woman who he believed was going to facilitate his access to two young children with the intention of abusing them. Instead, he was met by NWROCU officers who were waiting for him.  He pleaded guilty to child sex offences and was jailed for four years and four months. He will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.

In May 2024, Kaylum Forrester from Huyon, Merseyside was jailed after detectives from Regional Organised Crime Units in the North West and North East gathered evidence that showed he had interacted with someone online who he thought was a child and this communication was sexual in nature. When he was arrested, a number of electronic devices were seized and sent for analysis. During examination of the devices officers recovered more than 800 indecent images of children. He pleaded guilty to child sex offences and was jailed for six years, given given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and is on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

In September 2024, a former teacher, Robert Collins, from Southport, Merseyside was jailed for online child sex offences after a thorough investigation by NWROCU detectives, with support from the Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Organised Crime Unit and Merseyside Police. After his arrest in June 2023, detectives conducted a comprehensive examination of hundreds of chat logs spanning four years, from August 2019 to May 2023 and discovered graphic photographs that he had sent to girls under 16, including conversations suggesting he would meet them. Collins, who used to be a teacher at a high school in Sefton also had multiple graphic photographs of his victims on his mobile phone. Collins was jailed for two years and six months at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a girl to engage in sexual activity, possessing indecent images of a child, and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for life.  

Detective Chief Inspector Donna Houlton-Pinder who leads the team investigating online child sex offences in the NWROCU said:

“Reaching the milestone of 1000 arrests is significant, but our commitment to protecting young people from harm remains unwavering.

"Offenders who believe they can hide behind a computer or phone screen to evade conviction should think again. We will identify and pursue individuals who commit or attempt to commit child sexual abuse, whether in person or online.

"We will continue to collaborate with other law enforcement and partners agencies across the country to safeguard children from harm.
 
"We urge any child or young person who is a victim of sexual abuse, or anyone who knows of a child being abused, to come forward and report this to police.
 
"Call 999 if you suspect such an incident is in progress, or pass any other information via 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
 
If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, the following organisations  can also provide help and support:
 
NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail [email protected].
Childline – call 0800 1111