Current timestamp: 28/06/2022 01:52:08
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

northants-logo-7

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
    • Road traffic incident
    • Antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
    • Possible breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Register as an overseas visitor
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Covid-19 gives online safety messages renewed importance on first anniversary of Breck’s Last Game

Main article content

Navigation

News

10:42 03/04/2020

Nearly 3.4 million people have watched the short film, Breck’s Last Game online since it was first released to the public one year ago. The online safety messages it contains are now more important than ever as school closures mean young people have added temptation to spend long periods of time online.

Breck’s Last Game is the short film about Breck Bednar, the 14-year-old boy who was murdered by a man he met on a gaming site. It was made as a result of an innovative collaboration between four police forces – Northamptonshire, Leicestershire Essex and Surrey – and was initially rolled out in secondary schools in the four force areas before being released to the public in April 2019.

The film was made to raise awareness of online grooming and carries an important message – do you really know who your online friends are? Undoubtedly, this message is now enhanced because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Assistant Chief Constable James Andronov said: “We are in unprecedented times. As schools close and people are confined to their homes due to the global coronavirus pandemic, they are using the internet and online services more now than perhaps ever before.

“This can be a lifeline for many but young people need to be warned there are unfortunately a small number ready to exploit the situation and manipulate and groom them – it’s crucial we don’t lose sight of that.

“We are aware, for example, well-meaning people are encouraging young people to set up ‘pen-pal’ style social groups online but unfortunately young people must approach these with caution. Even in the face of a global pandemic, a small minority will take advantage of the situation to approach young people online with a view to grooming them.

“I urge people who haven’t watched Breck’s Last Game to do so and to digest its messages, and I’d also like to take this opportunity to warn anybody who thinks this is the time to exploit children to expect a knock at their door from one of my officers with a warrant for their arrest.”

Breck Bednar’s mother, Lorin LaFave appears as herself in the film and said today: “It’s a year since Breck’s Last Game was released but it seems much longer than a year ago to me as so much has happened in our world since then. 

“With children now being off school and limited in their outside activities, the natural progression might be that they spend more time online socialising and gaming with friends and inevitably for some, strangers.  

“Some of these strangers will be trying to groom and exploit our children, to possibly encourage them to do things that could be harmful to them, so now more than ever, we need to educate young people in an engaging and empowering way using Breck’s story, so that they recognise signs of grooming, know where to go for help, remember that friends online are not the same as school friends and to think though our tagline, #DoYouReallyKnowYourOnlineFriends ? In these trying times, don’t let a predator build a relationship with your child online, education is key.”

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold said: “The online world is a fabulous way for people to stay in touch during the current health emergency but now more than ever, we have to make sure our young people know that it is also filled with risk.  This is not a time for us to let our guard down and Breck’s Last Game serves as a strong reminder of the need to educate our children to be cautious on line and remember that people are not always what they claim to be.”

Find out more information about the film, how to spot the signs of online grooming and what to do you you’re concerned about a child you know.

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Northamptonshire Police

  • Contact us
  • About us
  • News
  • Careers
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on

© Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.