Arrests over ‘online abuse of children’

EIGHT people have been arrested across Nottinghamshire as part of an investigation into online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the UK and overseas.

Officers from the Sexual Exploitation Investigation Unit carried out an operation focusing on suspects involved in live streaming and file sharing of child sexual exploitation and abuse, grooming or blackmailing of children.

They raided a number of addresses across Nottinghamshire between Monday and yesterday. These included properties in the city, West Bridgford, Chilwell, Wollaton, Worksop, Woodthorpe, Kirkby-in-ashfield, Mansfield, Aspley and Beeston .

Eight people were arrested and more than 80 pieces of evidence seized by officers Inquiries are now ongoing.

Detective Inspector Jamie Hill said: “We have already seen prosecuted cases in Nottinghamshire where suspects have been facilitating abuse from their homes, affecting victims from all over the world.

“These sorts of offences have lifelong devastating impacts on victims and we need to continue to work with our partners to keep people safe from harm, through education and enforcement.”