More than 100 electronic devices were seized by Gwent Police officers during an operation designed to target those who possess and share indecent images of children online.

Eleven warrants were carried out as part of ‘Operation Javelin’, led by the police online investigation team (POLIT) and assisted by neighbourhood teams and specialist units.

Nine men were arrested during the weeklong proactive operation, with seven individuals released on conditional bail and one person released under investigation.

A 19-year-old man from the Abergavenny area was arrested on suspicion of making an indecent photograph of a child. He was released on police bail, pending further enquiries and a 45-year-old man from the Ebbw Vale area was also arrested on suspicion of making an indecent photograph of a child.

He was released on police bail, pending further enquiries.

A 35-year-old Newport man was arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children and breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

He was later charged with these offences and will appear at Newport Crown Court on Friday, August 6.

Officers also seized 107 electronic devices during the operation, as well as conducting two safeguarding visits.

DI Jamie Cooper, of Gwent Police’s cyber-crime unit, said: “Our intelligence gathering has allowed us to make nine arrests of people suspected of being involved in the online exploitation of children through possessing or sharing indecent images.

“We’ve also made 12 children safer by identifying those at risk and ensuring appropriate conditions are in place to keep them safe.

“This was completed with the assistance of partner agencies and forms part of our safeguarding work linked to this investigation.

“Our enquiries are continuing to ensure that those responsible for the online exploitation of children are brought to justice.

“It is important to remember that some of the images captured during our intelligence gathering may have been sent by a child.

“We want to educate young people in particular that not only is sharing an incident image – which could be of themselves – a criminal offence, but it can be recirculated very easily which may lead to further inappropriate sexual communication online.”