Euro MP Richard Howitt has joined police in calling on local internet users to do their bit in the war against child pornography.

Mr Howitt ,who is one of eight MEPs representing Eastern Region, which includes Brentwood, Ongar, Billericay and Wickford, spoke out after meeting Chief Insp Roger Lowe of Basildon Police.

He says many paedophiles are now using the internet to obtain addresses, arrange meeting and access pornographic material and believes everybody has a part to play in bringing those responsible to justice.

He said: "The sexual abuse of children may take place in one country, placed on the net with a service provider in another country and downloaded by a paedophile here in Britain.

"There is also growing evidence of networks of paedophiles using the net as a rendevous place, using e-mail and passwords to make effective monitoring difficult.

"I appeal to any local person who encounters child pornography on the internet to co-operate with local police in combating this sickening crime.

He spoke out after the European Parliament approved a series of measures designed to tackle the problem.

These include: internet users to be obliged to report any child pornography they encounter; European backing for anti-paedophile police units; the creation of a continent-wide intelligence network and discussions with service providers on how to block pornography sites.

Picture, top: Richard Howitt and Chief Insp Roger Lowe plead for help

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