NSW police to search computer networks

The New South Wales Cabinet has approved new powers for police designed to help them track terrorist threats, fraudsters and paedophiles through computer networks.

The proposed laws would allow police to search computers networked to those listed on a search warrant.

Police could also seize computer hard drives and memory sticks for up to seven days.

Police Minister David Campbell says police are currently only able to search computer hardware found on a premises named in a search warrant.

He says with the changes, they will be able to go a step further and search other networked computers, regardless of where they are located.

"What we know is that there are organised crime gangs who use the internet and other forms of technology to hide their crimes," he said.

"There's also the ongoing concern of pornography over the internet, and these proposed new powers for police will give police an even playing field."