A SPECIALIST Dorset Police unit formed to target internet paedophiles is backing a new public awareness initiative tackling online child abuse.

Latest estimates from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre indicate 50,000 individuals in the UK were involved in downloading or sharing indecent images of children in 2013.

The new initiative, centred around a series of innovative films designed to deter would-be offenders, has been established under the Stop it Now! UK & Ireland campaign.

This campaign is run by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF), the only UK-wide charity focused solely on reducing the risk of children being sexually abused.

Detective Inspector Andy Bell, of Dorset Police's Paedophile OnLine Investigation Team (POLIT), said the county force fully supported the campaign.

Det Insp Bell added: "The Dorset POLIT was formed in November 2013 and is a specialist unit within Dorset Police.

"POLIT have been working closely with similar units and law enforcement agencies throughout the UK and internationally to identify criminals in cyberspace intent on causing serious harm to children.

"Dorset Police is committed to targeting and bringing to justice those in in the county who are sexually exploiting children over the internet.

"The message is simple and very clear; if you commit these crimes we will find you, arrest you and bring you to justice."

Meanwhile, LFF director or research and development Donald Findlater said: "However many benefits digital technology offers, we know it is also used to cause great harm.

"Whilst we have tough laws concerning child abuse, as well as the viewing, sharing and making of indecent images of children, we know that tens of thousands of people - mostly men - go online to access this material regularly."

The campaign has been designed to stop as many of them as possible by clarifying what the law says, telling them of the harm done to children by making and viewing online child pornography, and by highlighting the likely consequences of their behaviour on their families and themselves.

The initiative also directs anyone struggling with their online behaviour in this regard, to free, confidential resources that could help them.

Mr Findlater said: "The campaign needs the public to play their part - by talking about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it.

"And by being alert to the signs that a loved one might be viewing sexual images of children online and knowing how to respond."

Visit www.get-help.stopitnow.org.uk or call the foundation's anonymous and confidential support helpline on 0808 1000 900.