RCMP Cpl. Annie Linteau said Friday some of the child pornography victims knew their abuser. (CBC)

RCMP in Surrey, B.C., have rescued seven children and charged one man after a tip he was involved in an international child pornography ring.

An unidentified 36-year-old Surrey man is facing several charges, including sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching, and possessing, distributing and making child pornography, police said in a statement Friday.

Police released few details about the children, except that they were between five and 11 years old, and that six of the children were from the Surrey area, east of Vancouver, and one child was from Ontario.

"These children were known to the accused," RCMP Cpl. Annie Linteau said. "We are in the process right now of reaching out to people in an effort to determine whether or not we may be able to locate more victims potentially."

Police said they were first tipped off in late January by an international source who claimed the Surrey man and individuals from around the world were exchanging images and videos of sexual abuse of children they knew.

The same day, police executed a search warrant at a Surrey home and seized electronic and computer devices, which led to the rescue of the children.

Police said the investigation is continuing worldwide and further arrests or charges are possible. They said no other information would be released to protect the identity of the children.