A 14-year-old child was sent pornographic images direct to their mobile phone after being scammed into thinking they had been hacked.

Police have now issued a warning following the “distressing” incident.

It is after the teenager saw an alert pop up on their mobile, saying the phone had been hacked and they needed to call the “Apple support” number.

However the number provided - 0800 680 0156 – was not a legitimate number for the Apple support centre and instead the phone was inundated with links to lewd images.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “A number of links to pornographic websites were sent out, which is obviously distressing for such a young individual.

“Therefore, please do not click on any links that you have not requested or are sure are safe and do not call any numbers as directed. Instead phone Apple support directly on their official number which can be found on their website.”

She added that anyone who had been caught out in such a way should clear their browser history, log out of any active sessions on any social media sites and change all passwords for sites and email addresses.

Further help and advice can be found online on the Devon and Cornwall Police website and the Action Fraud website.