POLICE have backtracked after issuing a warning that Hampshire children were being contacted on social media ‘by ISIS’.

Schools in the county and Isle of Wight said their pupils raised the alarm following the social media requests, which came from people with “unusual” names with “funny symbols”.

The extremist terrorist group claimed responsibility for terrorist attacks which left 130 people dead in Paris last week.

Initially police said that ‘suspicious’ Facebook friend requests had been made, but has now admitted that the contact is “probably” not from terrorist group members.

The full statement says: “Last week information was received from students at a Hampshire secondary school that adult male supporters of ISIS had contacted a number of students via Facebook.

“Over the weekend a Hants Alert message was sent to many schools, in order to alert staff and parents of the dangers of internet and social media use, particularly given the recent tragic events in France.

"Enquiries with the Hampshire students who initially reported this matter, has since revealed that the male adults who made contact on Facebook are probably not ISIS members.

“However the advice to schools, parents and teachers to be aware of social media and internet dangers still stands.

"Hampshire Police has a web page called Safe4Me, which contains resources with which teachers can reinforce this message in school."

Anyone who has received a request or is concerned can contact Hampshire Police on 101.