TWELVE warrants have been executed, under section four of the Protection of Children Act, at properties in Cambridgeshire as part of a crackdown on possession of indecent images of children.

Detectives have seized 40 desktop computers, 12 laptops, 36 hard drives and 100s of media storage devices as part of Operation Darcey.

The operation is part of an international investigation into people using the internet to download indecent images of children.

Officers from the Public Protection Unit have been working with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre to investigate any Cambridgeshire links to the use of an illegal website believed to be hosted outside the UK.

The equipment seized during the operation, which has run all week, will now be reviewed by specially trained officers.

Detective Inspector Adam Gallop, who is leading the operation, said: “This work is part of our ongoing efforts to protect children and target paedophiles.

“We have seized a number of computers and media storage devices which will now be examined by specially trained officers.

“The continued growth of the internet creates a massive market for images of children being abused. My concern is that people feel safe viewing and storing these images on their computers at home, my message is that they are not, it can take some considerable time for intelligence collected outside of the UK to result in police officers in Cambridgeshire knocking on doors. If you are looking at these types of images do not feel safe, we will come through your door. If not today then maybe over a year after you have viewed them.

“The viewing of indecent material fuels child abuse and must be considered as one of the most abhorant crimes to be committed. If you have concerns about anyone you know do not dealy in contacting the police.”

A 21-year-old man from Peterborough was arrested in connection with one raid and has been bailed to return to Thorpe Wood Police Station on October 7.