POLICE today launched an investigation into a website that allows users to request explicit images of North-east women.

The online forum features hundreds of nude female pictures.

Some users state specific names of women they want pictures of, others the areas of the North-east they want to see pictures from.

Some users who have posted the explicit images of women also give names.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman today said a number of complaints had been received regarding the web page and officers were investigating.

She said: “Police Scotland can confirm that complaints have been received regarding images on a website/forum.

“Inquiries are at an early stage to establish the circumstances.”

The forum has hundreds of posts visible to members of the public.

Others posted on the web forum slamming those using the site.

One said: “This is absolutely vile. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.

“Women aren’t objects.”

In England and Wales the sharing of private explicit photos or videos of another person without their consent and with the purpose of causing embarrassment or distress, is an offence. The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill was amended to cover images and videos shared online, via social networks or texts and offenders can face up to two years in jail.

Similar laws are currently being considered by the Scottish Government.