SNAPCHAT is set to be forced to hand over information relating to the murderer of Breck Bednar, following a break through by home secretary Sajid Javid.

Following the brutal murder of 14-year-old Breck Bednar, five years ago, family members, including his sister Chloe, have been harassed on social media.

The family have been forced to deal with a host of messages on Snapchat, which claim to be from Breck’s killer, Lewis Daynes.

But the company responsible for Snapchat has previously refused to co-operate and hand over information to police in the UK, claiming US law blocked them from doing so.

But now, according to The Mail on Sunday, the US Department of Justice has demanded Snapchat comply with requests.

This means the firm will have to release data relating the account that was used to send messages to the family, and the identity of the device the sender was using.

Speaking to The Mail, Mr Javid said: “It is vital police have access to the evidence they need when investigating all types of crime.

“And this case sets a clear precept that I hope all overseas tech firms will follow.

“We will continue to work to ensure other families do not have to face unnecessary delays when seeking justice. That is not right.”

Breck was murdered by Daynes after being lured to a Grays flat in 2014.

Daynes, who was 19, and of Roseberry Road, Grays, at the time of the trial, ran an online server on which Breck, and several of his friends, played games on.

It was through this forum Daynes groomed Breck over 13 months – telling him a series of lies, turning him against family and friends, and eventually luring him to his home on the promise of handing over a fake business.

Snapchat was previously slammed by outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May for failing to co-operate with the fresh police investigation.

After Breck’s murder, his family - who now live in Kent - formed The Breck Foundation, which warns youngsters of online dangers.

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Breck’s mother, Lorin LaFave said: “I am still in disbelief.

“When we were contacted by the murderer from prison, we were astonished to be told there was nothing police could do.

“Sajid has made it safer for children everywhere to be on social media.” The sick messages sent to Breck’s sister Chloe, threatened to dig up Breck’s corpse, demolish the headstone on his grave, and send naked photos of Breck.

Recently police, working alongside Ms LaFave, a teaching assistant, launched a film aimed at raising awareness about online grooming based on Breck’s murder.

The hard-hitting film on social media carries the message – Do you really know who your online friends are?

The public release comes as it is being rolled out to schools across Essex where children will see the film in controlled screenings.

The film is shown to youngsters along with a comprehensive lesson plan, to help protect them from online grooming and exploitation.