Three held in child porn inquiry

Police were using information provided by the FBI

Three men have been arrested by police in Lancashire as part of an international investigation into child pornography on the internet.

The operation follows information provided by the FBI in the United States.

Officers carried out the arrests at three separate addresses in the Fylde Coast and Morecambe areas on Thursday morning.

Computer equipment was seized and further searches of a number of premises are planned.

Intelligence sources

Detective Superintendent Mick Turner, of Lancashire Police, said officers had focused on those suspects who were in positions of trust or who worked with children.

He added: "The force received a number of names and other information following an inquiry in America into child pornography on the internet.

"For some time now our intelligence officers have been working thoroughly and systematically to link those details to specific people.

"Those individuals have then had to be prioritised, where possible looking first at those who are in positions of trust or whose work brings them into contact with children, no matter who their employer.

"However, the details provided to us by our colleagues in America is not our only source of intelligence and this inquiry will investigate other information relating to the use of child pornography on the internet in Lancashire."