A MAN arrested by police investigating alleged inappropriate messages sent to Weymouth schoolchildren has been released on bail.

The 26-year-old was arrested in London on Thursday after Dorset Police assisted in a joint operation with the Metropolitan Police.

The man has since been released on bail, pending further inquiries.

It comes after police were made aware of inappropriate messages sent via social media to a number of school pupils.

Police have been working with the schools involved and Social Services since September.

Detectives said the incident had a ‘negative impact, directly or indirectly, on the lives of a significant number of young people and parts of the community in Weymouth’.