Children aged 11 or younger have been ‘sexting’ their peers explicit images and videos, according to Sutton police.

Officers have received about a dozen crime reports of young people sexting. Most were about students aged 13 to 15, but some related to children of junior school age.

They included still photos and video of partly and fully undressed children and young people, police said.

It is against the law for a young person to send or pass on an explicit image, even if it is one of themselves.

Detective Sergeant Mark Simpson said: “Police engage with children, parents and families and, where appropriate, work with partner agencies, such as social services.

“Whilst endeavouring to educate children and keep them out of criminal justice process, police will enforce the law where appropriate.”

Free community safety presentations for parents to help keep children safe online have been arranged at the Sutton Life Centre on October 20 by the Safer Sutton Partnership Service, a joint team of police and council officers based at Sutton Police station.

The initiative is being supported by the Sutton Local Safeguarding Children Board, which co-ordinate schools, councils, the NHS and other organisations in child safety and publish serious case reviews.

Joanna Sharpen, a co-ordinator at charity Against Violence and Abuse, will be the first speaker at the presentation followed by Detective Constable Karen France from the Metropolitan Police's sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command.

Parents will be given the opportunity to raise any issues or questions with police.

The hour-long sessions will run between 12pm and 6pm.

To book a place email ztmedia@met.police.uk or call 020 8649 0681 or 020 8649 0613 before 4pm on weekdays.