A former police officer has pleaded guilty to more than a hundred charges of child sexual offences.

Lewis Edwards, 23, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday charged with a total of 106 offences, which included inciting children to make indecent images online and to engage in sexual activity.

South Wales Police’s assistant chief constable said the offences would “damage the public’s trust and confidence in policing”.

Edwards, from Bridgend, was immediately suspended from duty and resigned following his arrest.

The investigation by the South Wales Police online investigations team began when officers received intelligence about suspicious online activity, which involved the downloading of indecent images of children from the dark web.

An accelerated misconduct hearing was held and he has since been added to the barred list which prevents him from returning to policing.

South Wales Police say the investigation is ongoing and specialist officers are providing support and updates to his victims.

Detective Superintendent Tracey Rankine, head of the police online investigation team, said the scale and seriousness of the offences were “extreme”.

“Our priority has been to identify his victims and work with police forces across the UK to ensure they are safeguarded and supported,” she added.

“His abhorrent behaviour involved threatening and blackmailing his young victims who lived in fear of him.

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“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 him admitting the charges against him.”

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Assistant Chief Constable Danny Richards said the offences could damage the public’s trust in policing.

“The public will be as shocked and sickened as I am that such appalling offences have been committed by a serving police officer,” he said.

“The behaviour of Lewis Edwards only serves to damage the public’s trust and confidence in policing and undermines the work of the vast majority of responsible, hard-working police officers who serve the communities of South Wales with courage and pride.”

Edwards will be sentenced on 23 August.

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