Seventeen people suspected of helping to smuggle children into Britain for crime have been arrested in Romania.

About 300 police officers, including 20 from the Metropolitan Police, carried out searches at homes in the south-east Romanian town of Tandarei.

Thirty people were questioned on suspicion of taking 168 Roma (Gypsy) children to Britain for "criminal activities", Romanian police said.

Pistols, hunting rifles and money were seized, and 17 people were arrested.

A Met Police spokesman said: "The Romanian national police organised crime unit executed search warrants at 33 addresses in Tandarei, south east Romania.

"The operation is being supported by Metropolitan Police officers from Operation Golf - an investigation into child trafficking."

The spokesman added: "We believe some of the children may be in the UK and they have been referred to local safeguarding youth boards and other relevant agencies."

Officers continued to share intelligence with Romanian authorities, with 26 Met officers remaining in the country as part of the investigation, the spokesman added.