Britain's first Internet policing group devoted to stamping out paedophile gangs and cybercriminals was launched on Wednesday by Home Secretary Jack Straw.
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 what was described as the world's largest paedophile ring.
Straw, whose post is equivalent to that of interior minister in other countries, said the unit would have a team of 80 including detectives, customs officers and computer experts.
Speaking at the launch, he said organised crime had changed with technology, and policing methods had to change accordingly.
"At each stage of a change in technology, the law enforcement agencies have had to change their methods."
He said 15 million pounds (21.4 million dollars) would be spent on setting up the national centre of the new unit while 10 million pounds would be made available to regional police forces.
He added: "The government is committed to ensuring a safe and secure online environment for Internet users in the UK, by tackling high-tech crime and ensuring our law enforcers have the tools to deal effectively with on-line crime."
Len Hynds, head of the new unit, said it would also investigate fraud, race hate, hacking and the practice of spamming, or flooding people with unwanted e-mail – LONDON (AFP)
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