13/08/2002

Co Antrim man arrested in child porn swoop

Police have arrested a County Antrim man as part of a UK-wide crackdown on child pornography.

The 29-year-old man was arrested this morning and several items were removed from the house after the swoop.

The police swoop was part of an operation which started at 7am this morning. In all 18 search warrants were simultaneously executed at addresses throughout the UK and Ireland under the Protection of Children Act 1978.

The operation, codenamed Pilham, involved eight forces and follows a five-month investigation by the Metropolitan Police's Clubs and Vice Obscene Publications and Internet Unit. Pilham focused on people using the groups and communities on the Internet to distribute indecent images of children.

Met officers from the Obscene Publication and Internet Unit executed search warrants at 11 addresses across England.

The Metropolitan Police said Operation Pilham "clearly demonstrates the continuing determination by police services throughout the UK to target those who distribute indecent images of children".

The police force also said that the operation also highlights that the Internet is not ‘unpoliceable' and offenders can no longer hide behind the anonymity of technology.

Superintendent Chris Bradford, of the Met's Clubs and Vice Unit, said: "This morning's operation is an excellent example of the Met's continuing work to track down those involved in making and distributing indecent images of children. This type of crime involves one of the most vulnerable groups in society and we will take every step we can to protect them.

"Officers in the Obscene Publications and Internet Unit will continue their work in order to cause maximum disruption to those committing this type of crime. There exists a high level of co-operation between police forces throughout the UK and Internet Service Providers, which will continue.

"Technology doesn't make you invisible, we can and will trace and identify you."

The forces that linked up for Operation Pilham were Avon, Somerset, Grampian, Greater Manchester, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, PSNI and North Yorkshire police services.

(GMcG)

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