A number of EU police forces, including the Malta Police Force today launched a joint operation against the online abuse of children.

People who make use of peer-to-peer networks, usually used for file sharing, are now receiving a message informing them that it is a crime to use the internet to download material related to child abuse.

Videos and pictures conveying this message are being sent through police computers around the EU. The message is clear – the police will continue monitoring these networks to eradicate child abuse and the dissemination of related material.

Many people who were sharing or downloading material related to child abuse were identified and prosecuted over the past years.

The operation is being supported by EUROPOL. Additional information can be obtained here.