A LETTER warning parents they may be reported to the police and social services if they allow their children to play 18-rated video games has been defended by Cheshire East Council.

The letter, sent by Nantwich Education Partnership, said the  local Safeguarding Team and school staff have ‘serious’ concerns about some games and activities some children have access to.

It was sent by the heads of Brine Leas Academy, Malbank High, Pear Tree Primary, Stapeley Broad Lane, Weaver, St Anne’s Catholic, Millfields, Highfields, Wyche, Willaston, Wybunbury Delves, Acton, Sound, and St Oswald’s Worleston.

The letter said: “Several children have reported playing, or watching adults play video games which are inappropriate for their age and they have described the levels of violent and sexual content they have witnessed.”

The letter claims some 18-rated games and social media sites such as Facebook and WhatsApp ‘increases early sexualised behaviours in children and leaves them vulnerable to grooming for sexual exploitation or extreme violence’.

It then goes on to warn parents that if a child is allowed to have access to any 18+ game then they are advised to contact the police and children’s social care as it is neglectful.

Cheshire East Council has now moved to support the move.

A spokesman for the council said the safeguarding of children is a ‘top priority, and schools regularly take part in initiatives to protect children from risks such as ‘stranger danger’ and online bullying.

“Schools wrote to parents because they and the Council regard this as an important issue for children’s health and well-being,” the council spokesman said.

“Cases in which children have been exposed to violent or sexual content are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

“Where the circumstances indicate that neglect may be involved, schools have the option of reporting the matter to police and children’s social care.

“The schools, Cheshire Constabulary and the Council’s safeguarding teams would then respond proportionately towards the parents and young people involved.”

Cheshire Police said it is aware of the letter issued to parents by a number of schools in Nantwich relating to the use of social media and video games with violent or sexual content.

A police spokesman said: “Child neglect cases are taken extremely seriously and we work with safeguarding teams to protect vulnerable children within the county.”