Pupils will be taught personal safety on the internet

The scheme, being launched at Lourdes Secondary School in Cardonald, Glasgow, is to be rolled out across the city.

A play, performed by college students, will be followed up by workshop events and a parents' night.

A recent YouGov survey showed 89% of Scottish children who used internet chat rooms said they would arrange to visit someone they had met.

A further 22% said they would do so without their parents knowledge.

Insp Lewis McIntyre, of Strathclyde Police, said the statistics were alarming.

'Subtle process'

He said: "With more and more young people using the internet for school and home use, we felt this issue had to be raised.

"Although not all sexual abuse is preceded by grooming, it is a very common and deceitful process.

"The method can take months and even years, however it is subtle enough that victims often do not realise that they are being manipulated."

About 500 S1 and S2 pupils will watch the performance, written and re-enacted by drama students from the Glasgow College of Nautical Studies.

Insp McIntyre added: "By bringing in drama students, we are hopeful this will be more interesting and entertaining for pupils and make them take note of the messages we are keen to raise."

School curriculum

The parents' night at the school will give officers an opportunity to provide general safety advice to parents, including what to look out for and precautions that should be taken.

The initiative was organised by the police, in partnership with Glasgow City Council and Lourdes Secondary.

A spokesman for the council said they had also advised schools that sensible and ethical use of the internet should be part of the Personal and Social Development curriculum.

Strathclyde Police said that in recent weeks, detectives posing as young girls in internet chat rooms had caught five potential child molesters.