Warnings of a sinister man befriending and grooming young girls online have been issued by police to Harpenden schools.

A man calling himself ‘Mo’ has been using social media to speak to girls, from Years 9 to 12, in order to gain their trust and invite them to meet in his car.

Most of his advances are by Instagram and once he persuades the girls for a ride he gives them alcohol and cannabis, and in a small number of cases he has sent them indecent images.

Herts Police are treating him as a serious risk to the girls’ safety.

Mo is described as Asian, in his mid-20s, 5ft 8ins, slim build, and driving a black Vauxhall Corsa.

The safeguarding alert first appeared in St George’s School’s newsletter, and has started to make the rounds by word of mouth - it has since featured on Sir John Lawes School’s website as well.

It says: “Can all parents please remind their children of the need to keep themselves safe online and for them to certainly not agree to meet up with individuals who have approached them in this way.

“I would encourage parents to do all they can to educate their children, as we do as a school, on online safety and report any concerns to the police.”

A spokesperson from Herts Police said they are investigating the incidents: “Detectives from Hertfordshire Constabulary are currently investigating and appropriate safeguarding measures around the girls involved have been carried out.

“We would ask that parents talk to their children about being safe online.”

Further information about this can be found at www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.