From time to time we get messages from the local police and/or Staffordshire County Council recounting an issue which we should monitor and potentially inform parents about.

Consequently, we would like to share the following message we have received:

“I have been made aware this morning by one of the high schools in Staffordshire that there is a concern regarding Instagram and a bogus modelling agency grooming children.

West Midlands Police have advised that students at a number of secondary schools in our area have been contacted by a bogus modelling agency called Starlett or Scarlett Bookings Agency.

Initially they request photos of the child in their favourite outfit, then a bikini shot and finally they ask for a naked photo so that they can analyse their body type coupled with threats if they are not forthcoming.”

Please can you be aware of this and flag it up to your children if they are on Instagram.

We would always advise parents to maintain an on-going dialogue with their child over online / messaging behaviour so this will be a good way in.

Steve Neale, E-Safety Lead, said: “We know that parents will appreciate this flag and would encourage all parents to maintain a constant dialogue on E-Safety. It is certainly a high priority in school, and one that needs to be regularly reinforced as it is a fast-moving environment.”