French police in paedophile swoop

Estelle Mouzin vanished on her way home from school

French police have arrested dozens of suspected paedophiles in raids linked to the search for a missing girl.

Nine-year-old Estelle Mouzin vanished in January on her way home from school in the Paris suburb of Guermantes.

Tuesday's police raids, involving 450 officers, were conducted across France. They targeted 85 people, of whom 70 were being held by mid-morning.

Estelle's parents have conducted a high-profile campaign using posters and leaflets distributed across France.

Computer experts

Reports said the suspects detained in Tuesday's raids would be questioned about their movements on the day Estelle vanished, 9 January.

They would also undergo DNA testing, and have their homes and offices searched, the reports said.

The raids were believed to be the largest ever carried out in France against suspected paedophiles.

Around 40 computer experts were also being brought in to help the search, police said.

Estelle's home in eastern Paris is not far from Disneyland Paris. No trace of her has been found since she vanished.