TEENAGERS in Gloucestershire are being lured into sending sexually explicit before being blackmailed by their peers, paedophiles or overseas criminal groups, according to police.

From November 20 to the first week of January, at least 12 ‘sextortion’ incidents have been reported to Gloucestershire Constabulary.

In one case, a secondary school boy was receiving threats that explicit images of him would be shared if he didn't take part in sexual acts.

The female making the threats was a peer, and had been making threats for a number of years.

Sextortion is where someone threatens to share sexual pictures or videos of you unless you do something in return, such as pay them or engage in sexual acts.

It comes in a number of forms including webcam blackmail involving a stranger, an ex-partner in possession of nude pictures or images exchanged through sexting which are then shared on.

Police officers have been engaging with parents and carers on social media to highlight the need to talk to their children about sending naked pictures.

Detective inspector Brett Mallon, of the Digital Investigations and Intelligence team, said: "We believe there is a huge under-reporting of these kinds of offences as victims often feel ashamed or embarrassed of what has happened.

"These offences rely first on exploiting trust and then the fear of being exposed to friends and family.

"If you find yourself in this situation, please don't panic, don't communicate and if you are being asked for money - do not pay.

"Screen capture evidence and contact police where we will take all reports seriously and deal with them in complete confidence, without judgement."

Teenagers are not the only ones falling victim to this crime as the constabulary has seen all ages of people, including pensioners, extorted over social media sites.

In a webcam blackmail case, a man aged in his 30s was harassed over a social media site where a stranger was demanding hundreds of pounds.

He had been coerced into exposing himself and the footage was recorded without his knowledge and was then threatened with being called a paedophile if he didn't transfer the money.

Anyone who has been a victim of this crime should contact police by calling 101 or email 101@gloucestershire.police.uk or by contacting Action Fraud.