POLICE have been called more than 40 times in six months over "inappropriate" use of social media involving children.

Officers from the Dorset Police Safer Schools and Communities Team have dealt with 42 incidents since June last year related to Instagram and Snapchat.

And 17 of the cases involved so-called sexting.

The figures have been released as concern mounts about internet safety for young people amid reports that youngsters are being bullied into sending explicit pictures to others

In many cases the pictures are circulated and used to bully a young person.

The team looks into cases as part of the Dorset Police Youth Internet Safety Policy.

Following the incidents, team members deliver internet safety education to both parties involved and, when appropriate, their parents.

Police officers also explain the legal implications of sharing images and ensure that all inappropriate images are deleted.

One local head teacher, who did not wish to be named, said he believes sexting and bullying are common among teenagers in most schools.

He said: "From time to time we hear about issues with sexting and recently a student reported that she had been asked for images by someone who had sent her images of himself.

"I've also heard about anonymous groups which seem to be popping up on social media and asking for images. Recent cases have involved students aged 13 and 14. In all cases I refer cases to the Safer Schools and Communities Team."

Instagram has millions of subscribers around the world and allows users to share images and videos either privately or publicly. Snapchat allows users to send pictures and videos which will disappear in 10 seconds or less. Youngsters often thinks this makes sending pictures by snapchat 'safe' - but they can always been screenshotted by the person receiving them and sent on.

Ian Ison, Operational Manager for Out of Court Disposals and Triage at Dorset Police, said: "During our interaction with children and young people, if we find that there is any adult involvement we refer the case directly to our Safeguarding Referral Unit (SRU) for police investigation.

"We also complete forms which identify vulnerable young people and refer them on to the SRU. The information is often shared with partner agencies.

"The SSCT visit schools to deliver training for teachers, parents and pupils. We would always advise children and young people who are approached online for indecent images or inappropriate requests, to report them directly to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), ceop.police.uk