Results of UK raids

44-year-old man arrested in Hull Computer and software seized in Greater Manchester One person arrested and computer equipment seized in Teignbridge, Devon Computer seized in Merseyside Computer equipment seized in Paisley

The raids involved law enforcement on four continents. More than 130 suspects were targeted in 19 countries including Australia, Canada, France, America, South Korea and Japan.

NCS monitored regular users of more than 30 internet news groups specialising in explicit images of child pornography.

It discovered 60,000 fresh images of youngsters that had been downloaded and traded between paedophiles.

NCS said those arrested were suspected of using internet newsgroups to request, exchange and supply paedophile images.

"In one instance a newsgroup was used to seek help with the 'grooming' of a young child for abuse," said a NCS spokesman.

Intelligence gathered during the 10-month operation showed there were "dozens" of newsgroups carrying illegal paedophile images, he said.

Interpol distributed information to countries with the suspects and following two meetings in Lyon and London, the raids were launched.

'Right to know'

Detective Superintendent Peter Spindler, heading the operation for NCS, said: "If you have an interest in this type of material, then society has a right to know who you are, what's your DNA and have we got you on the Sex Offenders' Register.

In one instance a newsgroup was used to seek help with the 'grooming' of a young child for abuse

NCS spokesman

"That is what is going to happen to the people that have been arrested."

DS Spindler said it was "particularly disturbing" that the paedophile images on the news groups were available for even children to access.

Those accessing the newsgroups did so regularly and "with purpose", he said.

"We also learnt, not surprisingly, that those abusing the internet have learnt from recent police successes how best to protect their true identities."

A police officer removes material from a London house

Detective Sergeant Doug Bewley, from Scotland Yard's paedophile unit, said: "Any piece of child pornography is an example of child abuse.

"There is no anonymity on the internet for anybody who deals with this disgusting material.

"It is a serious offence and any persons being found involved in it will be arrested and will be dealt with," DS Bewley told the BBC.

The BBC's crime correspondent Stephen Cape said the operation was complicated by the fact that lots of suspects use false addresses that are virtually impossible to trace.

"Behind these people there could well be organised gangs," he said.

Nine people have been arrested in the UK so far - one in Scotland and eight in England.

The files of more than 400 suspects could not be traced because they left no electronic trail.

Det Supt Peter Spindler: Paedophiles will go on Sex Offenders' Register

Internet service provider Demon helped the police monitor paedophile activity.

John Carr, internet consultant for the children's charity NCH, called for a crackdown on internet service providers that allow paedophiles to get hold of such material.

"It is absolutely disgraceful that some UK internet service providers are still offering easy access to this material," he said.

'Sophisticated software'

"We believe that immediate action should be taken to stop this.

"If this situation continues then the companies involved should face criminal investigation."

The NCS has now developed "sophisticated facial mapping software" of children being used in the pornography which they hope will enable them to be quickly identified.

The nine UK forces involved in the operation were named as Devon and Cornwall, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Kent, Merseyside, Metropolitan, Strathclyde, Thames Valley and Wiltshire.

The 19 countries where warrants were executed on Wednesday were: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, the UK and the United States.