Tinder And Grindr Increasingly Linked To Reports of Rape And Violent Crime

The number of alleged crimes in England and Wales relating to dating apps including Tinder and Grindr have increased seven-fold in the past two years.

Police in England and Wales received 55 reports of crimes in 2013 in which Tinder and Grindr were referenced.

Sextortion

This increased to 204 in 2014 and 412 in the year to October 2015. These figures are based on 30 police forces who responded to a Freedom of Information request.

The alleged crimes included rape, child grooming, ‘sextortion’ and attempted murder.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council acknowledged the growing problem and urged dating app users to be “as security conscious as possible”, asking them to report any offences if they become a victim of this type of crime.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead on Violence and Public Protection, deputy chief constable Andy Cooke, said: “The rising popularity of online dating apps and websites has contributed to an increase in the number of recorded crimes. We strongly encourage users to report offences and seek support if they become a victim of any type of crime.

“I would urge those who use online dating apps to be as security conscious as possible and not to share personal data with anyone until they are sure about those they are communicating with. Similarly, individuals should stop all communication with anyone who attempts to pressurise them into something they are not comfortable with. If this happens you should contact the dating app provider immediately to discuss your concerns and always report any criminal activity to the police”

Forces are committed to responding and adapting to emerging threats in order to keep the public safe, he added.

“We will continue to work with partners to provide safety advice aimed at protecting users and preventing offences taking place,” he said.

How much do you know about mobile apps? Try our quiz!