Gun-toting hoodies swagger on the Net

It features them posing with handguns, rifles, knives and knuckledusters.

The disturbing images, posted on an internet site for teenagers, show youngsters with their faces covered by caps and hooded tops, imitating the swagger of US gangster rappers.

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Pictures of youths pointing weapons at the camera are mounted on a backdrop of images of guns, knives, bullets, knuckledusters, cannabis leaves and graffiti.

They include a youth posing with a rifle in a kitchen, a gang of four hoodies brandishing an array of knives and a baby-faced boy pointing a handgun at the camera.

The Sheffield City Soljaz site features gangs with names such as Pitsmoor Soljaz, Shirecliffe Boiz, Darnall Mob and the Aston Crew.

South Yorkshire police yesterday promised to do all they can to shut down the site, which contains images and profiles posted by teenagers in 15 locations across the city.

City councillor Mazher Iqbal said he was disturbed by the site. "This is deplorable," he added. "What shocks me is that there are young people of this age glorifying gang violence. We are going to have to do more raise awareness among parents about using the internet appropriately."

One resident of the Arbourthorne area, who recognised local youths on the site, said: "This is a shocking website which fuels violence and criminal activity. I can't see any good reason why it shouldn't be shut down."

The site is hosted by Piczo.com, which provides webspace for teenagers in a "safe social networking environment".

The company says it takes law enforcement seriously and urges users to get in touch about "inappropriate content or images".