Child porn arrests after 'delay'

Credit card details were found on the child porn website

Derbyshire Police have arrested a number of teachers who were on a list of people accused of using a website aimed at paedophiles.

The arrests follow revelations on BBC Radio Derby's breakfast show which told how four months after being given the list, police had made no arrests.

The force was given the list by agents from the FBI in the US with the names of 80 people from the county.

Now police say that every teacher on the list and anyone else who has direct access to children has been arrested and bailed.

'Frightening' list

A spokesman, however, refused to say how many people had been arrested and when and where the arrests happened.

The Derby North MP Bob Laxton said it was "frightening" that teachers were on the list.

The rights of victims and suspects are being protected

Derbyshire Police

"As I understand it the issue of this information from the US is not just about people clicking on to a website.

"This information has come as a result of people actually paying for this information by credit card.

"If people are paying for this information this isn't just something that is happening by accident - these are people that are into this vile activity in a serious way."

'Anxious' public

He said he would write to police over the length of time the investigation has taken.

Derbyshire Police said in a statement before the arrests that the investigation was being prioritised.

"A team of officers from the Derbyshire Constabulary is investigating alleged paedophile activity by people using the internet.

"The names of 80 people were passed to the force and a detailed investigation is under way into all of these people.

"This is a time-consuming but thorough process ensuring that the rights of victims and suspects are being protected.

"We recognise any perceived delay in processing and arresting suspects causes considerable anxiety to the public."