The singer of the Welsh rock group Lostprophets has been charged with child sex offences.

Ian Watkins will have to appear before magistrates to answer the charges, The Guardian reports. Officers revealed that the rock singer has been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation and a spokesman said “A Pontypridd man has been charged with sexual offences against children and is due to appear at Cardiff magistrates court today. The 35-year-old has been charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13 and possession/distribution of indecent images of children.”

The police also revealed that they had taken the decision to name Watkins, “to assist” their inquiries. Two women, aged 20 and 24 were also arrested. Those women were from Doncaster, South Yorkshire and Bedford, respectively. They had ben charged with “similar offences.” All three accused were questioned at Cardiff Bay police station.

The senior officer on the case, Detective Inspector Peter Doyle said that specially trained staff were available and would speak to anyone who has any concerns about the investigation and would also speak to anybody wishing to come forward with information. “Safeguarding children involved in such cases is always a high priority and as such measures have already been taken,” said Doyle.