Forces stage child porn raids

Police forces from across Scotland took part in the operation

More than 100 people have been questioned after a series of raids across Scotland as part of an operation against child pornography.

Officers from all eight Scottish police forces took part in the searches as part of Operation Falcon, along with the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency.

Police later said that a number of arrests had been made.

The raids came after information was sent to UK forces from intelligence and police sources in the United States.

It is understood that the US investigators had uncovered an internet child pornography network with 270,000 subscribers.

I can confirm that there have been a number of arrests across the country and several people are in custody Assistant Chief Constable Nicol McMillan

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) said the operation took place following "meticulous planning and full consultation with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service".

Assistant Chief Constable Nicol McMillan said: "The operation is still ongoing but I can say that it has been very successful so far.

"I can confirm that there have been a number of arrests across the country and several people are in custody."

However, he would not say how many people were being held by police.

"I would like to make it clear that child protection issues have taken priority and will continue to do so as the operation moves into its next stage," he added.

The operation follows a wider police campaign against child pornography, which was codenamed Operation Ore.

Several thousand people were questioned, and more than 600 were convicted.