PAEDOPHILES have never been the figures of popular myth who hide behind bushes in a dirty mac. They are much more sophisticated than that.

Their activities require patience in befriending or reassuring their victims and gradually taking control. They play a long game that may last for years. There’s nothing new in this analysis, but technology has brought another worrying dimension to the global trade in depravity and abuse, as the case of Luke Collie clearly illustrates.

Educating children, parents and grandparents in this aspect of cybercrime is critical. More critical than ever, in fact.