The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre has stepped up calls for its Click CEOP safety button to be installed on every Facebook profile page.

A spokeswoman for the agency – which is fronted by the former Head of the Northern Ireland Anti-Terrorist Intelligence Unit Jim Gamble – told PoliceOracle.com that representatives were meeting executives from the social networking site in a move to try to encourage them to adopt the measure.

Facebook executives have reportedly welcomed the meeting, which is taking place in Washington DC, USA, claiming that the site takes online safety seriously.

Anyone clicking the Click CEOP button is taken through to a help page giving guidance on dealing with a range of online bullying, inappropriate behaviour and harassment issues.

The spokeswoman said: “The system gives advice and support or helps you make a report. If there is a child protection issue it can be referred to the relevant police force. We work alongside law enforcement agencies internationally.”

“However, this meeting has been arranged because Facebook has not put this button on all its profile pages. We would like them to think again about using it.”

Concerns about online safety issues increased last year following the murder of teenager Ashleigh Hall. The 17-year-old student was murdered by a man she met through the site. Peter Chapman (33) was jailed for at least 35 years for the killing.