SIX Keighley men have been arrested on suspicion of online child exploitation.

They were among 15 men in total held after a fortnight-long operation carried out across the Bradford district by a specialist police team.

Detectives from the Policing Online Investigations Team raided 13 addresses district-wide.

The arrested men, who are aged between 22 and 65, have been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue.

Sixty computers and mobile phones were seized.

The operation was supported by officers from across the West Yorkshire force, including CID, patrol, neighbourhood policing teams and the digital forensic unit.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Weekes, of Bradford’s safeguarding unit, said: “This operation shows our ongoing commitment to tackle child sexual exploitation across the Bradford district.

“Tackling child abuse and protecting the vulnerable is not something that any one agency can do in isolation, which is why we work closely with partner organisations and charities to support victims, bring offenders to justice and make our communities safer and feel safer.

“The Policing Online Investigations Team in Bradford is dedicated to tackling this area of criminality in the district and will continue to work with partners and the public to identify and arrest suspects.

“We urge parents and carers, particularly in the current climate where children are spending more time at home, to regularly monitor their children’s mobiles and laptops and report any concerns to the police or partner agencies so these can be investigated fully.

“We would also warn anyone attempting to contact children online that they cannot hide behind their mobile phone or internet use and that we will take action to make sure children can use the internet more safely.”