Abuse images 'hidden on sat-navs'

Child abuse images are being hidden on satellite navigation systems and games consoles by paedophiles, Devon and Cornwall Police have warned.

The force said offenders were trying to avoid detection by not keeping such material on home computers.

Detectives said "less suspect" digital technology was instead being used, such as sat-navs and handheld computers.

Det Insp Simon Snell of the hi-tech crime unit said the force was making investments in tackling e-crime.

The bottom line is that people in possession of these images of abuse will be caught DI Simon Snell

The unit said its work was rapidly increasing, with digital forensic investigators carrying out about 26 jobs a month, linked to a range of offences from online fraud to murder.

Det Insp Snell, head of the hi-tech unit, said the force had put significant investment into tackling e-crime, recruiting more staff and purchasing a £200,000 computer server.

He said a variety of devices were being used by paedophiles to store and hide child abuse pictures.

"We've now found that they are using satellite navigation systems, games consoles and handheld computers.

"But we know they are using these systems, so we will seize them and forensically interrogate them.

"The bottom line is that people in possession of these images of abuse will be caught and we will find the evidence."