Shropshire Star

Telford man, 62, held in child porn raids across the Midlands

A Telford man was arrested today on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children as police across the Midlands carried out a series of dawn raids.

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The 62-year-old was arrested at 7am as part of Operation Safenet set up by West Mercia, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Midlands Police as part of a cross-border child protection drive.

In total six men were arrested in swoops also targeting Staffordshire and Coventry.

In Staffordshire, three men aged 55, 52 and 30 were arrested in Stafford, Stone and Fenton on suspicion of distributing indecent images.

Two homes were raided in Coventry, with police smashing their way through the door of one the homes. Two men aged 39 and 25 were held on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.

Since Operation Safenet was launched in June, officers from Warwickshire and West Mercia Police have carried out 144 investigations with 119 people arrested and 27 charged, resulting in the safeguards being put in place for 190 children.

Detective Superintendent Tim Martin, Operation Safenet lead for Staffordshire Police, said: "We have done something special with Operation Safenet.

"Using the latest mobile based technology we set up a digital forensics laboratory in the home of the suspect and examine the computers, mobiles, tables and data storage devices within minutes. "The forensics staff work with the police officers in the address to immediately secure evidence for a prosecution and help build the case so a quick decision can be made in terms of charges and putting the suspect before the courts.

"This triage approach to the evidence means we can immediately take action to prevent further offences and importantly take action to protect any children at risk.

"I want those using such images to really think about their actions, often they think there isn't a victim because they might not have any direct contact with the children in the images, but those children are victims of abuse and were abused to make those images. With colleagues across the region, we will continue to tackle this issue and take enforcement action to protect children until we know children are safe."

West Midlands Police Detective Inspector Jim Foy said: "This latest day of action illustrates our commitment to identifying vulnerable children and keeping them from the clutches of online groomers.

"Safeguarding children is our number one priority. We are targeting people who view, share or download indecent images of children and those who groom children in order to make indecent images.

"Anyone who encourages child abuse by viewing or sharing paedophilic images needs to prepare themselves for a loud knock at the door by Operation Safenet officers."

Det Insp Foy added: "Offenders are getting more sophisticated in the way they exchange paedophilic images and develop child abuse websites. Some are very tech savvy – but we have IT experts within Op Safenet capable of recovering illegal material.

"Using the latest mobile technology we also have the capability, in certain circumstances, to set up digital forensics laboratories in the homes of suspects to examine computers, mobiles, tables and data storage devices at the scene.

"It allows us to immediately secure evidence in order to speed up the process and therefore enable a quicker more informed decision to be made in terms of charges and putting the suspect before the courts."

Anyone with concerns for the wellbeing of a child can report their worries to police using the 101 number, their Local Authority Children's Services, the NSPCC or Childline.

Parents are also urged to play an intrusive role in their children's online activity to make sure they don't come to any harm whilst using the internet.

Det Insp Jim Foy added: "Parents shouldn't feel awkward asking their children what they're up to online and who they're conversing with on social media. Perhaps have an agreement that they only use the internet in an overt manner, in the living room, rather than squirreled away in their bedrooms.

"And ask whether your child really needs a webcam in their bedroom. If a child is persuaded to expose themselves in front of a camera then they've lost control of that image or video and it could be floating around online forever.

"You need to be absolutely certain who you're talking to online – your son or daughter may believe they're chatting with another teenager but, in reality, it could be someone much older with sinister intentions."

It's a criminal offence to view or share indecent images of children, which includes anyone under the age of 18 years.

For more information on preventing online child abuse, to report concerns, or if anyone is worried about their own online activity, they can get help and advice from the organisation stopitnow.org.uk

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