ONLINE child sexual abuse could be “the next grooming crisis”, experts warn ministers.

Children are being groomed and coerced online in “astonishing numbers”, according to the Internet Watch Foundation. 

The charity runs the biggest hotline in Europe dedicated to finding and removing vile child sexual abuse material from the internet.

Derek Ray-Hill, Interim CEO, said: “We must not look back in years to come and say we did not know.

“The evidence is there. Children are being groomed and coerced online in astonishing numbers. 

“The disturbing images and videos of their sexual abuse, manipulated by offenders often situated miles away, are being exchanged like trading cards within online criminal communities.

“This will be the next grooming crisis unless we all act now, as a society, to protect children from the dangers.”

It comes after a damning review laid bare the failings of the British state to stop the abuse of white girls by gangs of men of Pakistani origin.

The audit by Baroness Louise Casey quotes one police expert saying, “If Rotherham were to happen again today it would start online.”

Mr Ray-Hill added: “I worry that, even as we unpack this devastating scandal and its repercussions, another crisis is brewing.”

Earlier this month Sir Keir Starmer performed a U-turn and ordered a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.

Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips mentioned to the Sun on Sunday: “The rapid audit by Baroness Casey revealed the appalling abuse grooming gangs are perpetrating on girls and young women. 

“We are adopting all the recommendations from the report, particularly regarding how these vile perpetrators are increasingly targeting children online, and we will not shy away from taking further action.”

“We are alive to the latest online threats like the rise of ‘self-generated’ child sexual abuse imagery, which is highly disturbing, and we fully support the robust implementation of the Online Safety Act.

“We are also strengthening law enforcement’s response, using cutting-edge technology, intelligence and investigators to bring perpetrators of these horrific crimes to justice.”

The Government also recently introduced four new laws to crack down on online child sexual abuse.