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<p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not collect specific data on suspects
referred to the CPS for a charging decision where the sending of sexually explicit
images of children is alleged. However, data is available to indicate the number of
offences charged, in which a prosecution commenced at magistrates’ courts, for offences
of involving indecent images of children.</p><p> </p><p>The two main offence provisions
for the prosecution of offences relating to indecent images of children are section
1 of the Protection of Children Act 1978 (making, distributing, showing or advertising
indecent images of children) and section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (possession
of indecent images of children).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The table below sets
out the number of offences charged by way of the above legislation, in each of the
last three years, in England and Wales.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>2011-2012</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2012-2013</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2013-2014</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Protection
of Children Act 1978 { 1 }</p></td><td><p>15,599</p></td><td><p>14,694</p></td><td><p>15,574</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Criminal
Justice Act 1988 { 160 }</p></td><td><p>3,885</p></td><td><p>3,849</p></td><td><p>4,265</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>Data Source: CPS Management Information System</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is
not possible to disaggregate offences which relate to indecent images sent by way
of an electronic device as opposed to other indecent image offences, cases where a
conviction was obtained or the age of the perpetrator without reviewing individual
case files incurring disproportionate cost.</p>
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