RESIDENTS across West Devon are being urged to join the campaign to make the internet a safer place.

To spread awareness for Safer Internet Day, the West Devon Community Safety team held an outreach event in Bedford Square in Tavistock, in partnership with West Devon Connect and Devon and Cornwall Police.

IT specialists and safety experts were available to answer questions and provide free face-to-face support for residents, covering queries from basic security advice to in-depth information on avoiding scams.

Devon and Cornwall Police were also on hand to promote Operation Jessica, an initiative launched to help protect the elderly or vulnerable from falling victim to increasing numbers of fraudsters.

Internet Safety Day is now celebrated in over a hundred countries with the slogan: 'Let's create a better internet together'.

Internet safety training will also be on offer to more than 1,100 pupils when experts from the South West Grid for Learning visit Tavistock College on February 24.

The team will speak to students aged between eleven and 18 on topics ranging from digital footprints and cyber relationships, to social networking and online gaming.

The E-Safety sessions are available to young people from primary school age to sixth form, as well as at parents' evenings. The team are inviting primary schools in the area to get involved and are encouraging parents and guardians to request a talk at their child's school. 

Cllr Philip Sanders, leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: 'Young people have the right to feel safe online and parents need reassurance that their children are being protected.

'These talks are a wonderful way to understand more about the virtual world, and I would appeal to parents to consider asking their schools for presentations or guidance on the matter.

'We hope the council's work around Safer Internet Day has raised awareness of the issues facing young people on the web and it has provided some practical advice on how to take sensible precautions to reduce risks online.'

For more information on Community Safety in the area, please follow them on Twitter @CommSafetySHWD and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SDDCSP">www.facebook.com/SDDCSP