Washington  - Police in the United States have rescued 52 minors and arrested 60 suspected pimps in a nationwide crackdown on child prostitution, according to reports Tuesday quoting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In all, more than 690 people were arrested in 36 cities during the three-day operation dubbed Operation Cross Country IV, according the FBI. The action was part of an initiative launched in 2003 against child prostitution and trafficking in the US.

"Child prostitution continues to be a significant problem in our country, as evidenced by the number of children rescued through the continued efforts of our crimes against children task forces," FBI official Kevin Perkins was quoted as saying. (dpa)