POLICE are warning internet users to be vigilant online following a spike in malicious communication offences.

Officers spend hours each day investigating incidents where people use Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media to cause distress and harm to others.

Under Section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988, it is an offence to send certain items to another person with the intent to cause distress or anxiety.

Some types of malicious communications can carry a ten-year jail sentence, if threats to kill are made online.

An Essex Police spokesman urged people to not “take the bait”.

He said: “If you receive unwanted messages, whether they are abusive, offensive or distressing, it is important that you don’t take the bait and engage the sender in conversation.

“Most likely they are looking for a response, so ignoring it in the first instance is a good line of defence.

“If the problem persists, there are some simple steps you can take to block the user. Importantly, the user will not be notified that you have blocked them.

“If messages develop beyond an annoyance and you feel further action is required, you have the ability to report the problem directly to the social media site.”

If the messages you receive contain content designed to harass, alarm or distress you, call police on 101.