Nine Staffordshire men have been arrested in connection with offences involving exploiting children online.
Warrants were issued as part of Staffordshire Police’s Operation Safenet, which aims to detect online abuse.
Two men from Stoke-on-Trent were arrested, a 25-year-old on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children, and a 34-year-old on suspicion of making and distributing images of children.
A 54-year-old man from Leek was arrested on suspicion of possessing, making and distributing of images.
Two men from Newcastle-under-Lyme were arrested – a 34-year-old on suspicion of making and distributing images of children and a 25-year-old on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children.
Four other men were arrested in other areas of the county, including two in Codsall and two in Cannock.
All nine men have been bailed with conditions or been released from custody while investigations continue.
Det Sgt Jon Heathcote, of the force’s Child Exploitation Team, said: “I would like to send a clear message to those individuals within Staffordshire and the wider region, who are looking at indecent imagery of children on the internet or using the internet as a vehicle to sexually exploit children in any form; that you will be identified and brought to justice.”
Staffordshire Police are urging parents or carers of children who have access to the internet, to ensure they are aware of their child’s online activity.
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