Police today launched simultaneous raids in 10 countries to bust a paedophile ring using messageboards to exchange child porn.

Operation Odysseus resulted in several arrests and seizures of videos and computer equipment. Police forces in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Spain, Sweden and the UK were involved.

"Today's operation has exposed a complex and organised hierarchical structure that internet networks of paedophiles and child molesters are using to protect themselves, by hiding their identities and their atrocious activities," said Mariano Simancas, a member of Europol's serious crime department.

"The international law enforcement community has again given a strong and efficient answer," he added.

The British part of the operation was carried out by the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit. A spokeswoman told the BBC that the offending material was "particularly serious". ®