Police release nine people arrested in child exploitation raids in Portsmouth and Havant

Nine people were arrested yesterday in dawn raids across Portsmouth and Havant by officers from the missing and exploited team.

The nine were held on suspicion of conspiring to arrange or facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child aged between 13-17 years.

All of them have now been released from custody but are still under investigation, Hampshire police said.

Officers have not confirmed how many alleged victims are involved.

A 13-year-old boy from Portsmouth is among those arrested, along with two 15-year-old boys and a 13-year-old boy from Havant.

Two 17-year-old boys from Portsmouth were also arrested, along with three adult men aged 21, 23 and 29, from Portsmouth.

Portsmouth district commander Supt Maggie Blyth said: '˜This investigation involves specialist teams across the force and it will take us some time to understand the details.'

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting Operation Skycap.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.