Dear Parents/Carers,

We are writing to inform you of a safeguarding concern that may impact some families and children who are fans of the author Andy Cope (known for the Spy Dog/Spy Cat series, among others).

It has been announced that Andy Cope has been subject to a malicious cyber-attack. As a result, certain websites associated with the author, including some URLs and links that may be printed inside older copies of his books, have been hacked.

This means that if these published links are accessed, users may be directed to pages displaying malicious and highly upsetting content.

Action to Take at Home

We strongly advise any parents who own copies of Andy Cope's books to take the following preventative measure immediately:

• Remove or obscure any published website addresses, QR codes, or links printed inside the books. This will prevent children from inadvertently accessing the malicious content.

• For your own safety, you are strongly advised not to investigate or try to access these links. The content is reported to be extremely upsetting and may contain malware or viruses that could risk damaging or corrupting your electronic equipment.

School Action

Please be reassured that the school has already taken action:

• We have checked all copies of Andy Cope's books in the school library and classrooms and have removed or obscured any published website addresses or links to prevent accidental access while the books are on school premises.

While this incident is related to an external attack and not our school systems, we felt it was vital to share this information so you can take appropriate action at home to safeguard your children and protect your equipment.

If you have any concerns or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Thank you for your understanding and prompt attention to this urgent matter.