Nine arrested over alleged online child exploitation
Police have arrested men from Codsall and Cannock as part of a series of warrants executed in connection with online sexual offences.
A total of nine men have been arrested by Staffordshire Police from across the West Midlands as part of Operation Safenet, which aims to detect online abuse and bring offenders to justice for the possession and distribution of indecent images of children.
A 37-year-old man from Codsall was arrested on November 2 on suspicion of attempted sexual communication with a child, as well as a 23 year old on suspicion of possession and making indecent images of children.
A 43-year-old and a 74-year -old from Cannock were also arrested today on suspicion of possessing, making and distributing images of children.
Detective Sergeant Jon Heathcote, of the Staffordshire Police child exploitation team, said: “This week of activity has tackled a range of individuals who exploit children over the internet through various means including; distributing indecent imagery of children, seeking to groom children over the internet and those who are actively discussing the sexual abuse of children through online chat platforms.
"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."
Warrants were also executed in Leek, Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme in recent weeks.
All of those arrested have either been bailed with conditions or been released from custody whilst the criminal investigations continues.
Explaining how Operation Safenet works, Detective Heathcote said: "We work closely with the National Crime Agency, international law enforcement, internet service providers and social media companies to highlight these individuals and bring them to justice.
“We use the latest digital forensic techniques to set up a mobile forensic laboratory in the home of the suspect in order to quickly identify the nature of offending and safeguard children at the earliest possible stage.
