POLICE are appealing after a 10-year-old boy was sent indecent images via social media platform Snapchat.
The Star previously reported when the boy's mum issued a warning to other parents to be vigilant over their children's social media accounts following the incident.
The boy, from Newton-le-Willows, uses Snapchat to organise meeting with friends to play football at Crown Street Park in Earlestown.
However, after accepting what initially had seemed like a genuine friend request from a local girl, he was sent a disturbing explicit photograph, which has prompted his mum to speak out.
The account attempted to get her son to meet up at the park and sent him an explicit image of a girl on the evening of Monday, September 27.
READ MORE > Mum's warning after explicit image sent to boy via Snapchat
The matter was also reported to the police.
A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said: "We were contacted on September 27 by a member of the public in Newton-le-Willows reporting that her 10 year-old son had been sent indecent images via a social media messaging site.
"Enquiries into the matter have been carried out.
"The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) have also been in touch with the boy’s school to offer support.
Detective Chief Inspector Sue Hinds added: “Offenders often think that the internet will offer them complete anonymity to commit offences, but I can assure them that this is not the case.
“Merseyside Police has specialist officers working tirelessly with other agencies to identify offenders, no matter where in the world they live or what devices they use.”
- Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 21000671948. Anyone with concerns about someone’s online behaviour, can contact Merseyside Police either by Twitter DM or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Anyone who suspects that the life of a child or adult is in immediate danger or a crime is ongoing should dial 999. Advice and guidance for children, young people and adults to help them stay safe online is available at: www.saferinternet.org.uk , www.childline.org.uk , www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre, www.nspcc.org.uk , www.thinkuknow.co.uk , www.childnet.com , www.parentinfo.org , www.ncsc.gov.uk
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