Google has unveiled new technology designed to identify images of child abuse, as the Silicon Valley giant sought to stave off mounting pressure for action to tackle exploitative content.

The US company said it was releasing free 'cutting edge' artificial intelligence software that would help web moderators root out abusive content on the Internet on a large scale.

Google said the technology "significantly advances our existing technologies to dramatically improve how service providers, NGOs, and other technology companies review this content at scale."

The announcement came after Sajid Javid, Home Secretary, warned of the "horrifying" scale of pedophile activity on the Internet and claimed 80,000 people in Britain alone posed a sexual threat to children's safety online.

He told Internet giants they would face stiff new rules if they failed to intensify efforts to stop the problem.

He urged companies like Facebook, Microsoft, Google and Twitter to respond in the same way they have worked to combat terrorist material.