Police issue warning to parents after disturbing discovery on Snapchat

Officers are investigating an uknown man believed to have been sending inappropriate images to multiple children on social media

Police have issued an urgent warning to parents after they uncovered 'inappropriate' images sent by an unknown man to a number children over social media.

Officers made the disturbing discovery after they were contacted by a concerned parent who believed their 13-year-old daughter was being groomed on social media on July 6 in Warrington. They found an unknown man had sent the teenager a number of inappropriate videos on Snapchat, and that the child had also sent images of themselves to the offender.

A Cheshire Police investigation found the man also appears to have been in contact with at least six other children via social media, in what they called a 'dangerous and harmful' crime.

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Detective Sergeant Joe Davies, of the Northern Proactive Policing Team, urged parents to speak to children about what they are doing on their phones and the dangers of sharing illicit images.

“While mobile phones and social media can be a valuable tool for parents and their children, unfortunately we know they are well used by those who prey on children and are only interested in fulfilling their own sexual gratification," he said.

“Many of these people will specifically target young children, convincing them that they are in love, and coercing them into sharing images and videos of themselves through social media.

“That is why we want all parents to speak to their children about what they are doing on their phones, what apps they’ve got installed and who they’re communicating with.

“While we understand that this can be a difficult conversation, it essential that young people understand that it’s not normal to view or share inappropriate images and videos online, not only is it really dangerous and harmful, but also once an image has been sent, they never know where it will end up.”

Further advice and support for parents in relation to online child abuse is available on the Cheshire Police website at https://www.cheshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/online-child-abuse/ and at https://www.getsafeonline.org/.