Internet child porn ring 'was run by parents'

American auhtorities have announced the discovery of a "despicable" child pornography ring stretching to Britain and continental Europe, in which parents sexually abused their children and distributed photographs of them over the internet.

The Customs Service said yesterday that 20 people had been arrested and 45 children, ranging in age from two to 14, were removed from the care of those who were exploiting them.

Robert Bonner, The Customs Commissioner, said he was particularly shocked to see the degree of collusion by parents. "If this isn't unusual, God help us," he told a news conference in Washington. "I've rarely seen crimes as despicable and repugnant."

Few details of the worst crimes were immediately available, although Mr Bonner cited one instance of a man who swapped his children with those of another paedophile for sexual exploitation.

The internet ring was known as "the club", and members would ask each other for pictures of children in specific poses. One man requested a tape of a child crying while she was being spanked.

Sixteen of the arrests took place in America, while others were made in Europe under the direction of the Danish police, who first stumbled on the international ring in January.

Mr Bonner said the investigation was continuing. Other countries that were following up leads included Britain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland.

In America, the first arrests were made in California – one in San Diego and one in Fresno. A search of the two suspects' computers led to eight other alleged members of the ring, one of whom committed suicide shortly after being arrested.

The man from Fresno, Lloyd Emmerson, is a chiropractor accused of exploiting his patients, in some cases photographing them in compromising positions without their knowledge.