Suspects arrested in Thailand - Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre reveals joint operation with Royal Thai Police

CHILD EXPLOITATION AND ONLINE PROTECTION CENTRE News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 11 December 2008

A number of men have been arrested in Thailand on suspicion of committing sexual offences against children following a joint operation between the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre and the Royal Thai Police (RTP).

Operation Naga - an ongoing operation to identify and safeguard children and hold to account suspected child sex offenders in the region - is still unfolding and further details in relation to the number of suspects will be made available shortly. At this stage it is thought that a number of British nationals may be involved.

The arrests took place in the tourist resort of Pattaya, about an hour from Bangkok.

Working with specialist police teams in Thailand, Thai prosecutors and Non Government Organisations (NGOs), the CEOP team based in Thailand have liaised continually with an operational support centre back at CEOP's headquarters in Pimlico, London, which has supported the Royal Thai Police activity on the ground.

The operation began when an online network was identified by CEOP covert internet investigators in the UK. Intelligence was developed which established links with Thailand, prompting the initiation of a joint operation with the RTP.

During the ongoing deployment, officers from CEOP have shared intelligence about offenders, contributed to operational and child protection strategies and assisted in providing behavioural analysis to support the investigation.

CEOP supported Operation Naga as part of its work within the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies combating child sex abuse (http://www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com).

CEOP's Deputy Head of Operations, Andy Wells, said:

"Working with the Royal Thai Police we have located and identified a number of individuals who are suspected of serious alleged offences against vulnerable children. Non Government Organisations have been instrumental in helping to build an intelligence picture of the threat that travelling sex offenders pose to children from in the region. Along with the Social Welfare Division in Pattaya, they have also provided support to the victims of child sex abuse who have been safeguarded as a result of this operation."

CEOP's Chief Executive Officer Jim Gamble said:

"This operation and these arrests demonstrate the value of the relationship between CEOP and the Royal Thai Police, a relationship which continues to develop. This enhances the capacity of the Royal Thai Police to deal effectively with child sex offenders in the future. The UK and Thailand may have different legal systems and law enforcement practises, but we share a clear, joint commitment: to prevent harm to children.

Britons who travel abroad to abuse children in the belief they can evade justice are a UK problem and we have a duty to protect every child, everywhere. The Royal Thai Police have demonstrated an unerring commitment to making Thailand a hostile environment for UK offenders and CEOP will continue to proactively support that commitment."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

* For further information or interviews please contact Miriam Rich, Vicky Gillings, Hannah Bickers or Clive Michel at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre on 0870 000 3434

* The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre works in both the online and offline environments to protect children from sexual exploitation. Full information on all areas of work as well as online safety messages and access to online reporting can be found at http://www.ceop.gov.uk.

* CHILD ABUSE IMAGES, NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'
Use of the phrase 'child pornography' actually benefits child sex abusers:

- It indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser

- It conjures up images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse

Every photograph captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not pornography.

* The organisation is affiliated to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and powers are derived from the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. It is based in Pimlico, London with developing outreach channels to all areas of both domestic and international policing as well as industry and specialist support and educational faculties.