When I read this headline I thought theat the story was about a third world country like Cambodia or Kenya or the like.  Boy!  Was I wrong!

More than 600 adults have been arrested in raids across the US targeting people who force children into prostitution.

Operations took place in 29 cities in a co-ordinated action involving federal, state and local law officers, according to the FBI.

Officials said 12 large-scale prostitution rings were dismantled in the raids and 47 children rescued.

Since 2003, 575 child prostitutes have been saved from exploitation by American criminal gangs, they added.

Officials said many of the prostitution rings broken up were operated through call centres, truck stops, casinos and websites.

The FBI generally gets involved in child prostitution cases that cross state lines.

At a news conference announcing the results of Operation Cross Country II, FBI Deputy Director John Pistole said the arrests were made possible by intelligence gathered during similar raids in June.

“Sex trafficking of children remains one of our most violent and unconscionable crimes in this country,” he said.

The 47 rescued children range in age from 13 to 17, and all but one are female.

A total of 642 people were arrested. They included 73 pimps and 518 adult prostitutes, according to the FBI.