Operation Safenet: Telford man arrested after images raid

The 62-year-old was arrested in Telford as part of Operation Safenet set up by a number of police forces to tackle the problem of people looking at and distributing illicit photographs of youngsters over the internet.

Officers armed with a warrant swooped at a property in a dawn raid yesterday.

Since the launch of Operation Safenet last year there have been 593 investigations, 353 arrests for sexual offences and 491 children safeguarded.

Of these the Warwickshire and West Mercia force which covers Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin carried out 144 investigations, 119 arrests and charged 27 suspects, resulting in the safeguards being put in place for 190 children.

Teams of police officers and highly skilled digital forensics staff use up-to-date digital investigative methods to track where illegal images are being watched.

They then apply to a magistrate for a search warrant to allow the experts and officers to raid the home to seize evidence and arrest those involved.

Det Sgt Matthew McNelis said: "Operation Safenet uses the latest mobile based technology to enable us to 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."

Det Sgt McNelis added: "With colleagues across the region, we will continue to tackle this issue."