A POLICE boss has vowed to step up the fight against online paedophiles after hearing a new crack team has made more than 60 arrests in its first eight months.

According to newly-elected North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, keeping children safe is one of the most important jobs done by the force.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector originally from Harlech, was speaking during a visit to find out more about the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) which was established last October to tackle the emerging threat of child sexual exploitation via the internet.

Since then, POLIT has executed over 70 warrants and made more than 60 arrests, working alongside the force’s cyber crime team and the high tech crime unit based in St Asaph.

Mr Jones said the growing threat of online child sexual exploitation was one of the biggest things that had changed since he retired from North Wales Police eight years ago.

He said: “I would like to congratulate the POLIT and the colleagues in the high teach and cyber crime teams for their work in a very challenging area of policing.

“Online child sexual exploitation is a vile crime committed by dangerous and devious people who come from every section of society and often appear to be leading outwardly respectable lives.

“I’m pleased that we’re investing so many resources in tackling online sexual exploitation because the care of children is the most important thing we do.

“Paedophiles are becoming increasingly sophisticated so it is vitally important that we respond accordingly with a team of our own experts catching those committing these types of crime and bringing them to justice."

See the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd and Arfon/Dwyfor edition of the Cambrian News