Sick online trade in child sexual abuse images becomes 'industry' as number of websites double

Sick online trade in child sexual abuse images becomes 'industry' as number of websites doubleAround 16% of the sites – 2,458 – were disguised to look as if they host legitimate content or appear inactive, but have a hidden way for paedophiles to access the materialNewsTom Pettifor Crime Editor00:01, 23 Apr 2026View 4 ImagesThe number of websites involved doubled in a year, according to new research(Image: PA)The online trade in child sexual abuse images has become an "industry" with the number of websites involved doubling in a year, new research reveals.‌In its annual report published on Thursday, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) found 15,031 of the vile sites in 2025, compared with 7,028 the previous year. It also identified and digitally marked 317,101 images of child abuse, meaning tech companies can stop them being shared further.‌Around 16% of the sites – 2,458 – were disguised to look as if they host legitimate content or appear inactive, but have a hidden way for paedophiles to access the material. The IWF wants financial services to be forced to detect and report payment links for access to abuse images.‌Kerry Smith, chief executive of the IWF, said: “It is clear criminals are exploiting systemic failures and are finding it far too easy to reap huge profits from children’s sexual exploitation. At every stage, we need to disrupt this system. It is an industry.View 4 ImagesJoao Teixeira was jailed for running child sex abuse sites (Image: Police supplied)READ MORE: Law firm at centre of £39.5million fraud probe with tens of thousands of potential victimsREAD MORE: Shockingly young average age of knife attack victims revealed for first time"We need mandatory measures on financial services to proactively detect, take down and report digital payment links for the sale of images and videos of child sexual abuse.‌“We also need to see companies which use end-to-end encryption on their services adopt the tried and trusted safety tools wh...