POLICE visited 60 suspected paedophiles at their homes to warn them about their behaviour without prosecuting them.

They approached individuals believed to have accessed child abuse images at the lowest level of seriousness.

Instead of taking them to court letters were handed over by officers from Sussex Police’s paedophile on-line investigation team (POLIT).

These warned them police were aware of what they were doing and keeping a watch.

Another 30 cases where they approached suspects led to further enquiries and in some cases led to equipment being seized and people arrested. In some of the incidents, it was eventually established no offence had taken place.

Police said the 90 cases in total made up less than 20 per cent of new cases received by POLIT in 2016.

The policy of visiting some people whose internet addresses were suspected of being involved with the lowest level of abuse was introduced in November 2015.

Police said using the visit and letters approach in particular cases helped the team focus on offenders suspected of looking at more serious images or those who might try to contact children directly.

Officers warn the computer owner during the visit that if they are aware of the unlawful behaviour they should take measures to ensure it stops immediately or they will face further investigation and potential prosecution.

The team may also give advice about computer security and about sources of support for anyone affected in any way by such images and by child sexual exploitation.

Detective Chief Inspector Pierre Serra said; “Every indecent image of a child represents an image of abuse, and offenders should be in no doubt that we use every lawful investigative technique to track them down.

“We continue to identify individuals engaged in this type of activity, and using intelligence we will continue to execute warrants to secure evidence and support prosecutions wherever appropriate.”

Police consulted with the force’s Independent Advisory Group and with the three independent local safeguarding childrens’ boards in Sussex when it was considering introducing its new approach.

The figures emerged after Norfolk chief constable Simon Bailey said forces around the country were being flooded with allegations of child abuse and officers were finding it difficult to cope.

He said rehabilitation was a better option for offenders who were at a very low risk and not in contact with children.

Sussex Police said every referral to POLIT was investigated and the individuals involved were risk-assessed.

Every letter is handed over to a person directly by an officer and never posted.