The announcement that the software company Microsoft is to close UK based chatrooms has been welcomed by Dyfed-Powys Police.

Superintendent Mel Evans, head of the force community safety department said: "It is of course well known that paedophiles target children through the internet and any initiative taken to combat this menace can only be regarded as a positive step.

"The reality is that children may unwittingly engage in a relationship over the web with individuals who have unlawful motives.

"Within the Dyfed-Powys area we have come across cases where children have befriended strangers through this medium and have then physically left their home environment to be with them, thereby putting themselves in danger.

"With technology being what it is today, it is a fact that paedophiles are able to, in effect, chat up children anonymously from the comfort of their own environment anywhere in the world.

"This is clearly a huge public safety issue owing to the wide availability of on-line chat services and any effort made to reduce the risk has to be supported.

"There is of course safety advice available to the public via such organisations such as the Internet Watch Foundation, which is available on-line, and includes tips for both parents and children on how to surf safely."

Children should be encouraged to remember these SMART rules:

S - Keep your personal details Secret. Never use your parents' credit card without their permission, and never give away your name, address, or passwords – it's like handing out the keys to your home!

M - Never Meet someone you have contacted in cyberspace without your parent's/carer's permission, and then only when they can be present.

A - Don't Accept e-mails, open attachments or download files from people or organisations you don't really know or trust – they may contain viruses or nasty messages.

R - Remember that someone on-line may not be who they say they are. If you feel uncomfortable or worried in a chat room simply get out of there!

T - Tell your parent or carer if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried.