'Sexting': More than 1,000 children investigated

Children as young as six have been questioned by police over "sexting", according to new figures gathered by a newspaper.

More than 1,000 under-18s have been investigated for sending nude or explicit images on social media or messaging services since 2012, according to the data obtained by the Sun under the Freedom of Information Act.

The number of investigations into children suspected of making, possessing or distributing indecent images rose to 742 in the past year, up from 150 three years ago.

A quarter of those arrested were under the age of 13, according to the data.

The National Crime Agency launched a campaign in June to tackle the issue, saying it received one report a day of a child protection issue linked to the phenomenon.

Children's charity the NSPCC said: "We don't want to see children criminalised. But while many of them may see sexting as harmless fun it is illegal and can leave young people vulnerable to blackmail and bullying, or attract the attention of sex offenders as the images may get shared online."

The charity has previously said its ChildLine service provided 1,300 counselling sessions for young people worried about sexting last year.

A week ago, a 14-year-old boy said he had been added to a police database for sending a naked picture of himself to a female classmate.

The boy's mother said the incident had been recorded as a crime, even though he was not arrested or charged.