Council contacts police after AI-generated images purporting to be council reports circulated online

According to the BBC, the former Heanor Grammar school site was taken on by Amber Valley in 2022 after it received £8.6m through the government's Future High Streets Fund.

However, the refurbishment scheme has been the subject of local debate.

Derbyshire Police confirmed it received a call from the borough council concerning “false material” being circulated about the scheme via a fake social media profile.

The council said "rumours" that the building would be used for "housing, either on a temporary or permanent basis" were causing "unnecessary concern".

It claimed that false material being circulated online included “AI-generated images purporting to be council emails and reports”.

The council added: “We encourage people to check verified council channels for accurate updates. Any false or malicious material, along with the social media profiles responsible, has been reported to the relevant authorities, including the Police where appropriate.”

Derbyshire Police said that officers discussed the matter with representatives from the authority and that the issue has been reported to Facebook.

It added: “We urge members of public to refrain from sharing false information as this could be deemed to be a criminal act.”

Lottie Winson