SEXTING and the sharing of “youth produced” sexual images is becoming a growing area of concern for police.

A recent report by West Yorkshire Police has highlighted the “staggering” amount of websites containing sexual images of children.

And it said there is a worrying rise in “self generated” imagery – where children take sexualised photos of themselves and share them on online messaging services.

The report, which went before the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel on Friday, says the number of such images involving children aged between 7 and 10 has risen by 65 per cent since 2022.

The panel, made up of Councillors from across the region, was told that West Yorkshire Police was one of the first forces in the country to roll out specialised training on the issue.

Members were given an update on online harm, including grooming and radicalisation.

The report raised issues related to online messaging services, linking them to the rise of children sharing sexual images.

It says: “Within the online space, there are specific challenges which we need to prepare our young people for.”

“These (messaging) platforms can act as a desensitisation step, prior to sexual exploitation, where sexualised chat is normalised and images are shared.

“The creation and sharing of ‘youth produced images’ by young people is a growing area of concern for UK policing.

“Recorded child sexual abuse is now heavily influenced by the volume of children sharing or possessing sexual images of themselves or others.

“However, this label can be misleading, as children can be groomed, deceived or extorted into producing and sharing a sexual image or video of themselves.

“Children aged 11-13 appear most frequently in 'self-generated' imagery, although the volume of imagery including children aged 7-10 increased by 65 per cent between 2022 to 2023.”

Referring to how the issue is being dealt with locally, the report says: “Safeguarding Governance has developed an iLearn training package in relation to Youth Produced Sexual Imagery and Self-generated Indecent Images of Children.

“This is now a mandatory learning package for all officers and staff who come into contact with members of the public.

“WYP are adopting a child-centred approach to their training to act against the use of victim blaming language by officers, staff or partners.”

Members were told that a number of projects to steer young people away from such behaviour.

Prism Youth Project if Bradford was awarded £7,660 to carry out its Freedom Project, a scheme that “delivers bespoke programmes to small groups which cover healthy relationships, spotting the signs of abusive behaviours in relationships, choice and consent, and exploitation.”