POLICE have launched an inquiry after reports that five teenage girls have been sexually exploited via an internet by older men.

Inspector Andy Everitt, of Ryedale police, said inquiries are continuing after the girls, aged 15 and 16, were contacted via social media.

His officers are working with the teenagers and their families, as well as schools, to raise awareness of the dangers of child sexual exploitation.

He said: “The existence of ‘virtual communities’ is a strange concept for many people in their understanding of what the community is, however, we know in today’s society many people spend a lot of their time connecting to their virtual community through social media.

“Having awareness of what your child is accessing and doing online is really important to ensure they remain safe. It is also really important that young people are very careful about what they do via social media applications.”

Insp Everitt said the investigation was close to a result and that stopping sexual exploitation was a priority in Ryedale after an increase in the number of reports of sexual crimes.

He said: “One of our key priorities is supporting teenage girls who may be exploited by much older men through a number of mediums, including social media.”

He also confirmed that his officers were working with Ryedale’s secondary schools and were making students aware of the dangers of online grooming and sexual exploitation.

Rob Williams, Malton School headteacher, said pupils attend citizenship lessons and school assemblies.

He said: “We are very aware of the dangers and we educate pupils through our curriculum and assemblies about the risks of social media and internet use. We have a close working relationship with the police we have had several meetings with Inspector Everitt and his colleagues.”

Norton College headteacher Phil Loftus said: “In addition to children receiving an extensive education on how to stay safe, staff are trained to keep them up to date with the potential dangers the internet can pose.

“At Norton College we benefit greatly from strong links with the child exploitation and online protection unit and with North Yorkshire Police in our training sessions.”

Richard Bramley, headteacher at Lady Lumley’s said: “We have specific lessons in IT on safe use on the internet. We make sure they are not ever putting their details online where people can find them.

“I think internet safety and on social media is a really important message to get across because this could happen to anyone and that’s the message we try to put across quite strongly.”

Ryedale School head teacher Mark McCandless said: "Ensuring our students are safe online is of paramount importance to us. All students are given clear and consistent messages from staff with regards to internet safety.

"In response to growing concerns locally and nationally about the inappropriate use of social media, we have been supported by North Yorkshire police and the Local Authority Lead Advisor for IT in delivering additional information sessions to students, parents, staff and governors at Ryedale School.

"Our students are very aware of the protocols in school regarding e-safety and are strongly encouraged to report incidents and seek additional support where needed."

Insp Everitt said that Operation Yewtree, the investigation into the abuse of children by Jimmy Savile, among others, had been a catalyst for people having the confidence to come forward and report historic cases of abuse.

“The stance taken by many victims of abuse committed by well- known celebrities has been a trigger for people who have been suffering for many, many years in silence after having being abused early in their lives,” he said.

“I really hope that victims are beginning to feel more empowered and have confidence in coming forward so ourselves and other organisations can help them in their journey from abuse to recovery.”

He said: “Awareness raising has got to help. We need to keep working with parents and children as well as partner agencies to highlight the potential dangers and protect young people Information and advice to parents, children and teachers can be find out thinkuknow.co.uk, ceop.police.uk and getsafeonline.org