Thursday, September 30, 2004

Police, teachers charged in child porn bust

One-hundred-and-fifty people, including police officers and teachers, have been arrested in what the Federal Police (AFP) describe as Australia's biggest Internet child pornography bust.

The AFP say hundreds of people across the country will be prosecuted after several hundred homes were raided across Australia.

Western Australian police have arrested 21 people and laid 37 charges, including possessing and supplying child pornography.

Some of those charged include two teachers, current and past employees of state MPs and a serving WA police officer, who has since been stood down.

The New South Wales Police Commissioner Ken Maroney says 27 men including two police officers were arrested in his state.

"There have been a number of charges preferred and will be preferred against a number of other persons and these include the most heinous and vile, despicable crimes against the children not only of this state but the children displayed in those images," he said.

Reports say 55 people were arrested in Queensland, 26 in Victoria, nine in the Northern Territory and seven in South Australia.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) and officers from all states and territories were involved in the operation.

It is believed that computers which contained images of children being abused were seized by police.

People have faced courts in some states.

The AFP has refused to confirm the details about the investigation except to say that an operation is continuing.

By Starsky and Hutch 30 September 04

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