THE PSNI IS investigating reports that a man has been contacting schoolgirls through Facebook to offer them paid modelling work.

The Bloomfield Collegiate School in Belfast, a girl’s grammar school for pupils aged 11 to 18, said it had received information about an individual who is approaching students through Facebook and requesting to be their friend.

He then asks that them to “become involved in paid modelling work and is insistent that they set up a Skype account,” the school said in a warning to parents. A modelling session in King’s Hall was also mentioned to some of the girls.

The school said that pupils have been warned of the need to exercise caution when accepting friendship requests and that it is strongly advising any pupil who has accepted the man as a friend to block him.

The school asked parents to discuss the issue with their children to ensure that such a friend request has not been accepted.

A spokesperson for the PSNI told TheJournal.ie that police are investigating, after receiving a report regarding pupils at the school. They also said that they have been made aware of other schools with the same issue and plan to approach them about it.

Read: School warns students: Quit Facebook or be expelled>

Read: One in five children exposed to dangerous content on Internet>

Read: Online sexual predators increasingly using blackmail and threats against children>

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More