Worksop schoolchildren using Facebook and Snapchat to arrange fights

Police chiefs are now warning parents to be aware and have upped patrols around schools before “anyone is hurt”.

Facebook is primarily used for sending messages and Snapchat is designed for recording short videos which can only be viewed once.

Worksop Sergeant, Mark Goddard, said: “The incidents we have been made aware are the kinds of scuffles many readers will recall from their own school days but we’re keen to make sure we nip the issue in the bud before it escalates any further and anyone is hurt.

“For this reason we will be increasing patrols in some of the areas where there have been young, school-age children meeting up such as the St Anne’s estate and Prospect Park, as well as around schools.”

The West Bassetlaw policing team put out the alert in the hope that parents with information will come forward and report the details. The police said that the incident involved a small minority of youths.

Sergeant Goddard said: “We put out the message on social media so that those involved know that we are aware of the issue. It also has the secondary benefit of raising awareness of the issue with parents.

“We are working with local schools who are supporting the zero-tolerance approach to this type of incident.”

Anyone who has concerns or information should call police on the non-emergency 101 number, quoting extension number: 807 7145.