Police have pledged to crack down on people who possess sickening images of children - regardless of who they are or the job they do.

The powerful message from Cumbria Constabulary came after a Carlisle man was convicted of possessing more than 700 indecent images of children, some just babies.

Ryan David Anderson, 39, was - at the time of his arrest - a serving police officer, working just over the border for Police Scotland.

At Carlisle Crown Court this week, Anderson, of Edgehill Road, admitted seven offences: three of making indecent photographs of a child; two of possessing extreme pornographic images - almost a dozen featuring animals and one showing an unconscious woman being raped; one charge of distributing an indecent category A image; and publishing an obscene article discussing child sex abuse, arising from online chat with another individual.‬

‪Anderson must complete a 30-day rehabilitation requirement, 160 hours’ unpaid work and a three-month electronically monitored night-time curfew. He must abide by the strict terms of a sexual harm prevention order and sign the sex offenders’ register, each for 10 years.

Police Scotland said he was suspended as soon as it was made aware of the investigation by Cumbria police, and confirmed he no longer works for the force.

Speaking afterwards, Detective Inspector Ian Harwood, head of Cumbria Constabulary’s cyber and digital crime unit, said: “People who become involved in this type of crime can be from all walks of life.

“With more people spending time at home and in front of their devices this year, the risk may increase of someone being tempted to access indecent images of children.

“If you are thinking of this type of behaviour then consider the consequences – and stop now.”

DI Harwood said he hoped convictions at court would act as a deterrent.

He also spelled out the other implications, adding: “The consequences are massive.

“They are devastating first of all to the child victims; behind every illegal image of a child is a victim of child sexual abuse and exploitation – something that many never recover from due to the trauma and impact on their lives.

“There are also indirect victims, which include the family and friends left behind by the perpetrator.

“The fallout can include families destroyed, relationship breakdowns, financial ruin and the shame and embarrassment felt by friends or relatives through no fault of their own.”

An NSPCC spokesman said: “As a police officer, Anderson would have understood the devastating impact of child sexual abuse and that his actions helped fuel this obscene online trade.

“The children in such images have been exploited and abused, in many cases by the adults who should be protecting them from harm, and without the necessary support this can impact them long into adulthood.

“Through our Wild West Web campaign we are calling for tech firms to be forced to tackle the production and distribution of child abuse images on their sites, and urge the UK Government to urgently press ahead with the Online Harms Bill.”

Children and young people can speak with a Childline counsellor confidentially online or on the phone 7.30am - midnight Monday to Friday, and 9am - midnight on Saturdays and Sundays, via childline.org.uk or 0800 1111.

Any adults concerned about a child’s wellbeing can email help@nspcc.org.uk or call 0808 800 5000.

People who are considering this type of offending are advised to seek help from someone they trust – or contact support agencies out there.

These include the Samaritans and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a charity dedicated to tackling child sexual abuse.

Support agencies can be found at www.cumbriatogether.com.