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Dozens arrested in paedophile abuse raids Dozens arrested in paedophile abuse raids
(40 minutes later)
A retired teacher, members of the armed forces and a scout leader are among 76 people arrested in raids targeting online paedophiles. A retired teacher, members of the armed forces and a scout leader are among 78 people arrested in raids targeting online paedophiles.
About 140 search warrants were issued by 40 forces across the UK during the raids, led by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. About 140 search warrants were issued by some 40 forces during the UK-wide raids, led by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.
Most warrants related to downloading and sharing indecent images.Most warrants related to downloading and sharing indecent images.
Some 80 children were removed from harm, including 20 found at raided properties.Some 80 children were removed from harm, including 20 found at raided properties.
'Children safeguarded''Children safeguarded'
Operation Tharsley was carried out over 48-hours on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the support of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca).
Known offenders who had breached the conditions of the sex offenders register were also arrested during the raids.Known offenders who had breached the conditions of the sex offenders register were also arrested during the raids.
Others held include a pathologist, a firefighter, an outdoor activities instructor, government employees, a computer programmer, and a referee.Others held include a pathologist, a firefighter, an outdoor activities instructor, government employees, a computer programmer, and a referee.
Two men were also arrested in Northern Ireland as part of the UK-wide operation. Forces around the UK made the following arrests:
Police in Dorset made two arrests, and Northumbria police arrested four men in Sunderland.
  • Two men were held in Northern Ireland
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  • Police in Dorset made two arrests
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  • In Kent, four men were arrested in Maidstone, Gillingham, Rochester and Herne Bay
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  • Two men from County Durham - a 46-year-old from Bishop Auckland and another, 55, from Peterlee
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  • Northumbria Police arrested four men - three from Gateshead, and one from Washington, near Sunderland
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  • Devon and Cornwall Police made three arrests - two in Cornwall and one in Plymouth
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  • Gloucestershire officers arrested a 68-year-old man from Newent
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  • In Wiltshire, a 46-year-old man was arrested in Swindon, while a 28-year-old man was held in Great Bedwyn
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  • West Midlands Police raided six addresses over the past two days. Three people were arrested and four children "safeguarded" by officers in Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell and Dudley
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  • Two arrests were made by police in the Thames Valley
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  • Jersey Police arrested a 20-year old man
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  • Strathclyde Police confirmed the arrest of three people
  • Sussex Police arrested a 43-year-old man from Bexhill
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  • Four men were held by officers in Hampshire
  • A 40-year-old man was arrested near Lincoln on Tuesday, and a 57-year-old man in the Sleaford area
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  • Cumbria Police executed a search warrant at a house in Carlisle and seized computer equipment, but no arrests were made
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Abuse link
Gloucestershire Police said the force took part in the raids, with a 68-year-old man from Newent arrested. Officers across the UK seized laptop computers, USB storage devices and external hard drives, digital cameras and other items capable of storing pictures, according to Andy Baker, deputy chief executive at Ceop.
In Wiltshire, a 46-year-old man was arrested in Swindon, while a 28-year-old man was held in Great Bedwyn. Mr Baker explained that pictures would be scrutinised to see if victims could be identified using clues in the background.
Elsewhere, West Midlands Police raided six addresses. "Every image is a crime scene", he said. "We need to identify that crime scene."
Three people were arrested and four children "safeguarded" by officers operating in Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell and Dudley. News of the arrests came as href="http://ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/CEOP%20IIOCTA%20Executive%20Summary.pdf" >Ceop published a report on the risk posed by people who download indecent images of children.
Abuse link
Four men were also arrested in Hampshire on Wednesday, according to Hampshire Police.
News of the arrests came as Ceop published a report on the risk posed by people who download indecent images of children.
Their analysis showed 55% of paedophiles who obtain images of abuse also go on to commit sex attacks against children.Their analysis showed 55% of paedophiles who obtain images of abuse also go on to commit sex attacks against children.
Principal analyst at Ceop, Kate Fisher, said that abusive images downloaded via the internet were increasingly becoming "more extreme, sadistic and violent, and feature increasingly younger children".Principal analyst at Ceop, Kate Fisher, said that abusive images downloaded via the internet were increasingly becoming "more extreme, sadistic and violent, and feature increasingly younger children".
Ceop called for police forces to prioritise investigating suspects who had easy access to children.