Almost 100 people have been arrested in Sussex and accused of downloading child pornography from the internet.

It is a sad and shocking statistic and the certainty is that it will rise during the next few weeks.

Teachers and police officers, members of two trusted professions, are among those who have been interviewed.

Nationally, figures questioned include well-known names such as Pete Townshend of The Who. More are likely to be revealed.

Some of those arrested may not have committed a crime. They may not be convicted or even charged. That is a matter for the courts and the police.

Not all of those found guilty may pose a danger to children.

But it is extremely worrying so many people, some of them in respectable jobs where they deal with children, have been called into question over allegations of looking at degrading and disgusting pictures of youngsters.

It also raises questions about how any sickening material involving children could be allowed on to one of the most extensive mediums of the modern age.