Police quiz children over web use

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Central Scotland Police officers visited the homes of 182 children after concerns that the content on some of the sites, including Bebo, raised "child safety issues".

The force said these included young people being involved in alcohol abuse, potentially exposing themselves to violence, the possession of weapons, racism and sectarianism.

Other intelligence was also gathered related to criminal offences, including drug-dealing activities.

As a result of the operation, several youngsters have been reported to the procurator fiscal and the children's panel for serious assault, theft and breaking bail.

Central Scotland Police said a further 72 reports were submitted relating to vulnerable adults and children under 16.

Youngsters aged between 12 and 18 in the Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire areas were spoken to by police, who identified them from pictures posted on the internet.

Assistant Chief Constable Derek Penman said: "This operation has been carried out as a result of intelligence received that such sites, in particular Bebo, were acting as a conduit for a range of behaviour which was extremely concerning from a number of angles.

"When we started looking, what became clear was that young people aged from very early teens through to late teens and young adulthood were involved in open displays of aggression and other unacceptable behaviour, apparently fuelled by drink in many cases."

School staff, social work officers and health officials were among those who helped police with the operation. The youngsters were interviewed by officers about their online activity in the presence of their parents of guardians.