Current timestamp: 08/07/2025 02:41:11
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal Activity[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-location' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Leave this site

Cookies

We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.

You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.

Accept cookies Reject cookies Customise cookies

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

South Wales Police force crest / Arwyddlun Heddlu De Cymru

  • Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Report a missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Spiking
    • Stalking or harassment
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
    • Hate crime
  • Back to Tell us about

    • How to tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
  • Back to Apply or register

    • Careers and volunteering
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Compensation for something the police have done
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Feedback about the website
    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
  • Your area

Paedophile jailed for life after admitting 160 'abhorrent' online child sex offences and blackmail

Main article content

Featured
Published: 11:14 25/10/2023

Lewis Edwards Custody.jpg

A Bridgend man has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 12 years, after being convicted of 160 child sexual offences following an investigation by the South Wales Police Online Investigation Team.

Enquiries first began in December 2022 when police received intelligence about suspicious bank transactions and online activity, linked to the downloading of indecent images of children from the dark web.

An IP address was linked to an address in the Bridgend area and further checks led to the offender being identified as 23-year-old Lewis Edwards – a serving police officer.

In the following days, a warrant was executed at his address in Bridgend and in February 2023 he was arrested and remanded in custody.

Edwards was immediately suspended from duty and resigned. An accelerated misconduct hearing was held which delivered the sanction of dismissal. He has been added to the barred list, preventing him from returning to policing.

Edwards was charged with a total of 160 offences which included inciting children to make indecent images online and to engage in sexual activity. He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 12 years, when he appeared at Cardiff Crown Court.

Detective Superintendent Tracey Rankine, head of the Police Online Investigation Team, said:

“Our priority has been to identify the victims from Snapchat usernames and work with police forces across the UK to ensure they are safeguarded and supported. The scale and seriousness of the offences identified by our investigation is extreme.

“His abhorrent behaviour involved threatening and blackmailing the young victims who lived in fear. Our investigation has involved forensically examining encrypted computer equipment and mobile devices which led to the recovery of shocking material. The strength of this evidence has resulted in Edwards admitting all charges.” 

 

 

Assistant Chief Constable Danny Richards said:

"The crimes committed by Lewis Edwards are despicable and the public will be as shocked and sickened as we are that such appalling offences were committed by a serving police officer.

"As soon as we knew the offender was a serving police officer, Edwards was suspended and sacked at a misconduct hearing which was held at the very earliest opportunity to remove him from policing.

"His behaviour only serves to damage the public’s trust and confidence in policing and undermines the work of the responsible, hard-working police officers who serve the communities of South Wales with courage and pride.

"There is no place in South Wales Police for anyone who abuses the personal responsibility they hold as a police officer.

"I understand there will be people asking how Edwards could have joined the police at the same time he was committing these terrible crimes.

"At the time of him joining South Wales Police his vetting was clear and there was nothing to indicate that he was involved in such abhorrent offences against children.

"Our number one priority is to protect the public so if anyone has any information about the safety of young or vulnerable people or those who pose a risk in our society then I urge them to come forward and report it to us.

"I am grateful for the work of our investigation team who have brought Edwards to justice and ensured his victims have been protected from further harm."

 

If you believe you or a loved one have been affected by Lewis Edwards' offending, please contact us quoting occurrence 2300040906. 

 

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of sexual abuse, whether in person or online is also urged to come forward to report. We have specialist teams who will treat victims with the utmost dignity, respect and confidence.

We also work with various partner agencies who can provide support and advice throughout the process. More information here. 

To contact South Wales Police: 

  • Live Chat
  • Online
  • [email protected]
  • 101

*In an emergency, always dial 999.*

Share

Footer navigation

South Wales Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • Careers
  • About us
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy Notice
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookies
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention advice
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Police and Crime Commissioner
  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police

Language

  • Cymraeg

Follow us on

© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.