Child grooming crimes in Devon and Cornwall have seen a significant reduction this year, figures released by the NSPCC today (August 15) have revealed.

The NSPCC says that 2,844 online grooming crimes have been recorded by police in the six years that the charity has been waiting for online safety laws.

Data from police forces in the South West show that 562 Sexual Communication with a child offences were recorded last year – a 17% increase on 2021 and 2022.

However, cases in Devon and Cornwall have reduced by 27%, whereas Dorset and Gloucestershire have seen a rise of 53% and 34%.  

The new research shows that across the UK more than 5,500 offences took place against primary school children, with under-12s making up a quarter of known victims.

The new analysis of the scale and nature of child sexual abuse taking place on social media comes ahead of MPs and Lords making final decisions on the Online Safety Bill next month.

In 2017, the NSPCC called for social media regulation to protect children from sexual abuse and has been campaigning for robust legislation ever since.

The NSPCC said: “The number of offences and victims is likely to be far higher than those known to police.” In response, they are urging politicians on all sides to support the Bill in its final stages and pass this vital legislation.

The UK-wide figures also reveal:

  • The stark reality of sexual violence faced by girls on social media was four in five (83%) grooming cases over the six years taking place against girls, where the gender was known.
  • Snapchat was used in more than a quarter (26%) of total instances over the six years, while Meta-owned products were used in almost half (47%) where the means of communication was known.
  • 150 different apps, games and websites were used to target children according to the police data analysed since 2017/18.

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Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive said: “Today’s research highlights the sheer scale of child abuse happening on social media and the human cost of fundamentally unsafe products.

“The number of offences must serve as a reminder of why the Online Safety Bill is so important and why the ground-breaking protections it will give children are desperately needed.

“We’re pleased the Government has listened and strengthened the legislation so companies must tackle how their sites contribute to child sexual abuse in a tough but proportionate way, including in private messaging.

“It’s now up to tech firms, including those highlighted by these stark figures today, to make sure their current sites and future services do not put children at unacceptable risk of abuse.”