Will new laws aimed at tackling 'dark net' paedophiles be enough?

There’s a part of the Internet that you almost certainly do not know.

The so-called ‘Dark Web’ is a collection of websites that use special tools to hide their IP addresses.

It has become a marketplace and meeting place for terrorists and paedophiles to explore and exploit.

David Cameron has announced plans for GCHQ and the National Crime Agency to form a new unit to “shine a light” on the corners of the Internet where abuse images are shared.

There will be new laws too, making it easier for paedophiles to be prosecuted.

Announcing the proposals, the Prime Minister said he was speaking as a father – not just as Prime Minister.

But in outlining the depth of this ungoverned online space, he has revealed the scale of the task the new team will face.

After the Prime Minister’s announcement, officials were unable to say how many new investigators will be employed or whether there will be any new staff at all.

The NCA is already overstretched, and our security services are already under pressure to do more to identify terrorists sharing material online.

The British Government is credited with leading the world in the fight against online child abuse.

But despite good intentions, there is scepticism about whether today’s proposals are likely to have much impact.