Meet the OCAIT team: DC Liam Padget

Next in our OCAIT series, we'd like to introduce DC Liam Padget.

Liam joined the online child abuse investigation team in 2023, bringing with him more than 25 years of service with Durham Constabulary.

He spent two decades on response before moving to CID in the west, dealing with a number of high-profile investigations. Over time, one thing became clear to him – he wanted to be in a role where he could focus on protecting children.

“I’m passionate about helping young people,” Liam says. “When you see what some offenders are capable of, it makes you determined to do something about it.”

In OCAIT, Liam often manages the highest-risk investigations. The workload is heavy and the pace relentless with organised warrants, devices to seize, files to prepare and constant liaison with courts and partner agencies.

The job also brings a stark realisation.

“A lot of this is happening in ordinary homes, more than people would think,” he explains. “But when you do the work, you can see that you are genuinely helping people.”

A key part of Liam’s role is making sure those affected are connected with the right support. Durham is one of the few forces able to extend specialist services even where someone may not formally be recorded as a victim of crime, something he is proud to be part of.

For parents and carers his advice is: “Have an open relationship with your child. Understand how different the online world is and the scale of what they can be exposed to. Make sure you’re the person they can come to for help and guidance. Honesty is everything.”