FIVE KIDS SAVED FROM SEX GANGS; EXCLUSIVE.

Byline: Tom Hamilton

FIVE children abused for sick kiddie porn have been rescued in a major Scots police operation.

The boys and girls, aged from seven to 13, were snatched from their abusers in a series of dramatic raids on homes.

The helpless youngsters had been preyed on daily and their suffering was filmed to be broadcast to other sex beasts live or in recordings over the internet.

Police began the raids in the central belt of Scotland after a man was arrested for other alleged sex offences.

The children were identified and the raids to save them from sex slavery were launched immediately.

The operation was extended south of the Border after Scots officers passed on evidence seized in their raids.

Three children were rescued in Scotland, while a further two were savedinEngland.

Allarenowreceivingcounselling andsupport .

The series of raids last month was supported by Scotland's National Sex Crimes Unit, set up earlier thisyear.

For the first time, officers were able to call on early legal support and high-level advice from the Edinburgh-based specialist team ofprosecutors.

And the sex crimes unit have now begun proceedings against a numberof suspects.

Result

Senior prosecuting counsel Derek Ogg QC, who heads the unit, said last night: "This was one of our most harrowing and disturbing cases but it clearly demonstrated the value of, andrealneedfor,theunit.

"Until the police investigation revealed these results, we were unaware of the full extent of child exploitation going on in our own backyard.

"It was a fantastic result for good, old-fashioned police and detective work carried out by incredibly dedicated officers who worked night and day to put an end to these children's daily ordeal.

"I can't stress enough the credit that the police take in these cases.

"It takes amazing dedication sifting through he evidence to get success like this."

He added: "We did our bit by making sure local fiscals' sexual offences teams, led by us, cut through any red tape or bureaucracy, allowing the police to movefastandputthe kids first."

Ogg added: "Rescuing children like this whilst still preserving evidence for a fair prosecution can be a legal minefield for those detectives so it was important to develop new ways to get early guidanceandhelptothem."

The Record revealed in March how the NSCU, brainchild of Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini, was set up following fact-finding missions by senior Scots prosecutors to the USandEurope.

Mr Ogg said: "We were ready to learn fromanyone.

"Sadly the problems are the same world wide. But I do believe that here at the Crown Office, we are developing an approach which will lead the way for the rest ofEurope."

The cases cover every kind of sex crime, ranging from rapes to historic sexabuseof children .

The unit consists of eight senior prosecutors at the Crown Office in Edinburgh and linked into sexual offences teams organised by procurators fiscal in each of Scotland's regions.

Ogg added: "We can see the national picture, see patterns of offending, join the dots and h e l p w i t h t a r g e t i n g our investigations for more effective prosecutions.

"It's given me the confidence to be able to say to any child out there caught up in any way in abuse. 'Come forward to a trusted adult, whetherpolice,teacherorcarer.We will worktogethertomakeyousafe andendyourfear.'"

The work of the unit and the news of the raids have won the supportofdefencecounsel.

Senior QC PaulMcBride said: "I amdelighted to support this initiative, which is saving children from years of abuse and mistreatment. And I wish to praise the new sex crimesunitonits success."

The authorities hope the revelations will lead to child victims of sex crime to come forward and report instances ofabuse.

CAPTION(S):

PROSECUTOR: Derek Ogg QC VILE: Online sex beasts gloated over the images of abuse