Child porn raids: experts check seized computers
British police are examining computers seized during raids at the homes of suspected internet paedophiles.
A 13-year-old boy is among the 33 people arrested as a result of Tuesday's dawn swoops.
Others detained by police include a man working with a national youth organisation, a psychiatric nurse and an IT consultant.
Detectives from the domestic violence and sexual assault unit searched a house in Dublin for breaches of the Irish Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998.
The operation, codenamed Appal, is the culmination of a four-month investigation led by Greater Manchester police's obscene publications unit.
Its aim is to target internet users who access and distribute indecent images of children.
The operation saw officers from the force's six-strong squad access internet chatrooms and channels frequented by those trading in child porn.
Their techniques were "enhanced and improved" with specific software written by computer firm SurfControl which helped officers locate individuals accessing obscene images.
Intelligence led to 43 warrants, issued under the Protection of Children Act, being executed simultaneously throughout England, Scotland and Wales by officers from 25 forces.
The largest operation of its kind ever undertaken in this country, Appal is also thought to have uncovered two cases of suspected child abuse.
Inspector Terry Jones, of Greater Manchester police, said: "Work by the obscene publications unit identifies those people abusing one of the most vulnerable groups in our society.
"We will continue to track down those individuals who believe the internet gives them the anonymity to continue their trade in obscene pictures," added Mr Jones head of the unit.
