Operation Cathedral

Operation Cathedral led to a new law increasing the maximum sentence for child sex offences. The investigation had a profound impact on those involved, with officers having to undergo compulsory psychological debriefing and some retiring from the force altogether. As a result of the inquiry, harsher legislation was also introduced overseas. With 40 million Internet users worldwide, the threat is a truly global one. Child sex offenders who formerly met the swapped child pornography in secret can now do so for many countries in the world, in the apparent security of their own homes.