New internet police squad to target paedophiles

The UK's first internet policing group devoted to stamping out paedophile gangs and cyber criminals is being launched.

Law enforcement agencies and members of the IT industry will make up the group aiming to curb hi-tech crime.

They will also tackle the worrying trend of paedophile activities on the net.

Much of the work of the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit will concentrate on trapping members of paedophile gangs such as the Wonderland Club - seven of whom were jailed earlier this year for their part in the world's largest paedophile ring.

The 80-strong group of officers will also crack down on people using the internet for fraud and other crimes.

Home Secretary Jack Straw says the NHTCU will include experts from the National Crime Squad, the National Criminal Intelligence Service, HM Customs and Excise, police forces and the IT industry.

He said: "The Government is committed to ensuring a safe and secure online environment for internet users in the UK, by tackling hi-tech crime and ensuring our law enforcers have the tools to deal effectively with on-line crime. The significant cash injection of £25m, which I announced last year, has established the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit.

"It will improve the technical capability of the police to detect and investigate hi-tech crime, through the deployment of up to 80 law enforcement specialists, nationally and locally. New technologies bring enormous benefits to the legitimate user, but also offer opportunities for criminals, from those involved in financial fraud to paedophiles.

"We are determined that the UK will be the best and safest place in the world to conduct and engage in e-commerce, and that our children receive the full protection they deserve online so they can surf the Net in safety."

The NHTCU, which will be London-based, is being launched at the Science Museum in the capital.