Ref. 29542-18A DETECTIVE who helped jail chatroom pervert Paul Jones has made an impassioned plea for teenagers to be aware of dangers on the net.

Jones, 21, was jailed for four years for molesting a Swindon girl he had groomed online.

The computer support technician spent two months building up a rapport with the 14-year-old before he abducted and indecently assaulted her.

He arranged to pick up the girl in his car, and drove her to the Savernake Forest near Marlborough, where the assaults were carried out.

Jones, of Burbage Close, Penhill, was arrested the day after computer giant Microsoft announced it was shutting its chatrooms because of the danger of abuse.

Swindon Crown Court was told Jones had been in contact with 40 other youngsters. Det Insp James Vaughan, of Swindon CID, said the case highlighted the need for children to be vigilant.

Det Insp Vaughan has ensured his own daughter, 15-year-old Jess, who regularly uses chatrooms, is aware of the dangers.

He said: "I do not want to stop her using chatrooms, I just make sure she is safe. I recommend MSN Messenger to chat, because I am satisfied it is secure.'' MSN Messenger is a form of live email, where users can chat to people by invitation.

Jones posed as a 17-year-old to attract young girls.

Det Insp Vaughan said: "These people will often pose as being 16 or 17."

Sex offenders will lure their victims by chatting about pop music, fashion or films.

They then move on to talk about personal or sexual matters Jones asked his victim if she was virgin.

In the autumn, Wiltshire Constabulary surveyed 2,300 teenagers between 11 and 18 about their internet use. One of the most shocking findings was that seven per cent said they had agreed to meet up with a stranger they had met on line.

Det Insp Vaughan was horrified by this figure. He said: "It just shows how important it is that parents educate their children about the dangers."

The police have issued tips for youngsters, which include the advice: never give out personal details or photographs and not take other people at face value.

Children should never arrange to meet someone they've only previously met on the net without telling their parents first.

Tamash Lal