More than 100 computers storing child pornography were crushed following a two-year police operation.

They were seized by Sussex Police during an investigation into an internet child porn network.

Officers took the computers to the European Metal Recycling Company in Shoreham yesterday.

It was the latest stage of Operation Chaucer, the force's response to an international crackdown on internet child pornography codenamed Operation Ore.

Sgt Martyn Hale-Smith, of Sussex Police, said: "About 120 computers were taken from all over Sussex.

"This is just the first phase and doesn't even include the thousands of discs which have also been seized.

"We want to let people know that we are on to them and that they will be arrested, charged and their equipment will be destroyed."

More than 180 suspects have so far been arrested during the operation in Sussex and police have collected 25,000 exhibits.

Of those arrested to date, more than 80 have been charged or cautioned.

Operation Ore was launched in May 2002 following an investigation by the US Postal Inspection Service into Landslide Inc in Fort Worth, Texas, a multi-million dollar web site selling adult pornography and images of child abuse.

The UK's National Crime Squad followed up leads here and Sussex Police were given a list of local suspects.

Nationally, police say 100 children have been rescued from abuse or potential abuse as a result of inquiries triggered by tracking subscribers to internet porn sites.

A total of 7,250 people were identified in England and Wales, of whom 3,500 were arrested. Officers searched 4,100 addresses.

Some 1,670 people have since been charged with offences and 1,230 convicted.

Many have been sent to prison, including former Sussex Police inspector Christopher Wratten, who was jailed for six months for downloading child porn.

Others have been cautioned and all those found guilty have been put on the sex offenders register.

Sgt Hale-Smith warned offenders the police would continue to track them down.

He said: "We know they are out there and we will find them."