European Union members agreed today to create a common alert platform for reporting illegal activities on the Internet.

The system will be used to share information about those suspected of cybercrime with authorities in each of the 27 EU nations. Its goal is to prevent illegal website operators from fleeing to another EU country undetected.

EU's criminal intelligence agency Europol will establish and host the system. It will also run a web site where the public can report illegal content.

The European Commission pledged €300,000 (~£239,300, $379,700) to the project, which authorities say will primarily be used to coordinate information on child pornography offenses.

The EU will help fund member states in creating national alert platforms, which will link to the central European alert system.

Details on the scheme will be arranged at the next meeting of Interior ministers beginning November 27. ®

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