The chief executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) has resigned, the BBC reports.

Jim Gamble has resigned from the organisation, citing fears that plans outlined by the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to assimilate CEOP into the National Crime Agency were not in the best interests of children.

CEOP is currently linked to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca), but it is believed that Mr Gamble was keen for it to gain more independence.

While at CEOP, Mr Gamble pioneered techniques to keep children and young people safe online, including campaigning to introduce a "panic button" for children using Facebook.