Sex offenders in Shropshire could be targeting teenagers by posing as other children on-line, a detective warned parents today.

Acting Detective Inspector Billy Scott, of Telford CID, warned parents and youngsters to be aware of who they were liaising with on the internet during the school holidays.

His warning came after officers arrested a man on suspicion of downloading indecent images of children. He was already on the sex offenders register.

Mr Scott said it came just months after a man living in Telford who was on bail for sex offences in the West Midlands area was seen approaching a young girl as she got off the school bus. He was being watched by police after neighbours raised concerns about his behaviour. He has since been jailed.

Mr Scott said parents needed to be aware of the signs of grooming and to make their children aware of the risks of communicating with strangers on-line.

“We get packages from the Child Exploitation On-line Protection Agency which informs us of any activity including people buying indecent images of children on the internet.

“We then act and execute warrants and seize their computers for evidence. We get computer submissions quite regularly so it is vital that parents are aware of what their children are doing on-line,” Mr Scott said.

“There are obviously people out there that have not yet come on to our radar yet but they will do.

“Any parents with concerns should contact police and if need be disclosures will be made.”

Mr Scott said the new Sex Offenders Disclosure Scheme launched by the West Mercia Police force on Sunday was another way to keep youngsters across the borough safe.

“Within the last 12 months as a result of our intervention we have prevented at least two children from becoming victims of sexual offences.

“Parents can monitor what their child is doing on the internet and make their children aware that they may not be communicating with who they think they are,” Mr Scott said.

Anyone with any concerns about anybody who their child is in contact with should call police on 0300 333 3000 or visit their local police station.

By Crime Correspondent Kirsty Smallman