Exeter schools warn parents about child abuse image

Schools in Exeter are warning parents about an image of child abuse being passed around via text message and social networking sites.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre (CEOP) has written to Exeter schools alerting them to an image of child abuse which is currently being disseminated via Blackberry Messenger and the internet.

The notification reads:

It has come to our attention that there is a link to a child abuse image currently being distributed via Blackberry Messenger. In addition it is also being distributed via other social networking sites. The message asks users to pass the link on to 'help the victim'.

Numerous reports are being made to local forces across the country and CEOP are receiving calls and reports from police.

Ongoing work is being undertaken by CEOP and local forces with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), Blackberry and other social networking sites in respect of blocking the link and identifying the source. CEOP will look to engage with Blackberry to resolve this issue happening in the future.

Anyone receiving the link to this image should delete it immediately and not distribute further. If it comes to your attention that children and young people you work with have received this link please advise them not to share it. Please advise them to delete it. Please emphasise to them that it is illegal to download, possess or share indecent images of children.

If you ever need to make a report to CEOP please visit CEOP's Safety Centre: www.clickceop.net