Kids Rescued From Super Bowl Prostitution Ring

The FBI has rescued sixteen juveniles who they say were forced into prostitution during the lead-up to the Super Bowl.

Officials say some of the children - ranging in age from 13 to 17 - had been reported missing by their families.

All of them were found in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

More than 50 adult women who were also forced to work as prostitutes were rescued, and authorities arrested more than 45 pimps.

Officials said many of the women and children were forced to travel to the New York City area during the Super Bowl.

Aaron Ford, special agent in charge of the FBI's Newark field office, said: "The FBI and its partners remain committed to the identification and rescue of minor victims, and to hold accountable those who exploit children for financial gain."

Authorities said the Super Bowl and other big sporting events provide potentially lucrative opportunities for sex traffickers.

There are scant statistics and significant debate over how much trafficking actually increases during such events, but New Jersey, like previous hosts for the game, paid particularly close attention to it.

Just days before the NFL finale at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, authorities announced they had arrested 18 people accused of selling "party packs" of cocaine and sex to high-end clients ahead of Super Bowl festivities.

Last week a Florida woman was arrested for allegedly trying to prostitute her 15-year-old daughter during the Super Bowl.

Authorities in New York City said the number of prostitution arrests jumped in the week leading up to the game.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.