British officials seize hundreds of child sex dolls at border

Officials have seized hundreds of child sex dolls at Britain's borders over the last 18 months, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

However, there are no specific laws prohibiting the possession of the dolls. British prosecutors have implemented Victorian law to prosecute suspects caught trying to import child sex dolls into the country, the New York Post reported.

Prosecutors are going after suspects using the Customs Consolidation Act of 1876, along with the Customs and Excise Acts of 1979, which prohibit the import of indecent or obscene articles, in an effort to stop the trade.

Suspects who are caught trying to bring the dolls into the country could face up to seven years behind bars.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children hopes that the move would hinder the sales of the dolls.

"There is no ambiguity that they are designed to depict children and their purpose is to stimulate sex," a spokesperson told the New York Post. "We have serious worries that adults who use sex dolls could become desensitized and their behavior would become normal to them so that they go on to harm children."

Has anyone been prosecuted?

Earlier this week, a 61-year-old man was sentenced to 18 months in jail for possession of a doll and making indecent photos.

Donald Styles of Newton Abbot in Devon, England, claimed that he bought his 3-foot doll from China for an art project.

After the doll was seized by customs officials, police raided his home where they reportedly found nearly 150 films and images of child abuse, including rape.

What else?

The majority of those recently convicted with child sex doll possession were also found with indecent photos of children, according to National Crime Agency specialist operations manager Hazel Stewart.

"There is no place in society for these dolls. Importing them is a crucial flag to potential offending against children," Stewart told the newspaper.