The Police and Crime Commissioner is calling for more to be done to tackle online grooming after an NSPCC report showed a 70% increase in offences in the last three years.
Commissioner John Campion said “We all have a responsibility to protect children and young people from harm, and with social media continually evolving there is a particular onus on tech companies to do more. They must design and implement applications which are a safe space for their users, and be held accountable to ensure vulnerable people cannot be exploited.
I am committed to ensuring the police have the resources to tackle these emerging trends and that victims of online grooming are supported through the specialist services I fund. There is however always more that can be done. I am glad the Government are making this a priority through the Online Safety Bill and I call upon, everyone with a duty and responsibility to protect children to ensure they are taking this seriously.”