The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) becomes part of the National Crime Agency (NCA) the government announced.
The government said that it will ensure CEOP retains its name and brand as the national centre for child protection; its operational control; a separate budget; a governance structure which allows it to create and sustain partnerships with the private sector and charities; and a multi-disciplinary workforce.
Minister for Crime Prevention James Brokenshire said: "Child protection is an absolute priority for this government. As a core part of the new National Crime Agency, CEOP will not only be in the best possible position to continue its vital work but will also benefit from being able to draw on the resources and support available across the whole agency.
"CEOP has been an amazing success and this government will always back its vital work."
Peter Davies Chief Executive of CEOP said: "Today’s announcement sends one clear message. CEOP will continue with its own brand, its own approach and its own dedication to putting the safety and well being of children first.
"Only recently we have announced three major successes. Our programme to protect children through education – ThinkuKnow – won an unprecedented 12 awards at the International Visual Communication Award, while over the past few weeks we have announced the outcome of two major operational successes. Those operations – Rescue and Alpine – collectively saw 192 children safeguarded and 332 suspects arrested within the UK alone.
"That is what we are about and today I believe we have been given the mandate to build on that approach and continue that success."
