A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy from County Durham has become the youngest person in Britain to be investigated by police for “sexting”.

The young lad and his parents were spoken to by officers from Durham Police in 2015 after he took an intimate snap of himself and sent it to another child using an iPad.

He was one of 39 young people aged under16 in the county recorded for “sexting” in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

DCI Stephen Thubron, of Durham Police, said: “We record incidents in line with national crime recording standards, which we cannot deviate from.

“However, we deal with incidents proportionately and obviously do not criminalise children. Cases of ‘sexting’ are dealt with on a case-by-case basis with the focus always being on safeguarding and keeping children safe.”

According to the force’s figures, eight youngsters were investigated in 2014, there were 22 cases in 2015 and nine in 2016.

The youngsters, who used a range of messaging services social media platforms including text, Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram.

Among them was one nine-year-old girl, two seven-year-old boys, and the five-year-old boy, making him the youngest person to be investigated for taking and sending sexually explicit selfies.

The shocking statistics have emerged from a Freedom of Information request to all UK police forces in an investigation by BBC Newcastle. Figures for England and Wales show more than 4,000 children have been dealt with by police for “sexting” since 2013. The most common age of these children is 13 or 14.

The number of cases where children have taken explicit pictures of themselves and sent them to others has shot up in the past two years.

Police and children’s charities are concerned that the age of those being drawn into the practice is getting lower.

Claire Lilley, NSPCC head of child safety online, said: “It is extremely worrying that any child is being investigated for sexting, however we know from Childline that a child could be pressured into sending sexual images of themselves. It’s vital that parents take the first step – even if it feels awkward – to talk to their child about the dangers of sexting as soon as they are given any technology.”

A 10-year-old boy - only just at the age of criminal responsibility - was cautioned by Northumbria Police for sexting.

Durham Police is working with other agencies to provide guidance to youngsters and teachers. Children can call 101 for advice.