December 30, 2016 10.43 am This story is over 86 months old

Online dating warning after Grimsby man arrested on suspicion of rape

Humberside Police are warning those looking for love online to be safe after a Grimsby man was arrested on suspicion of raping a woman he met via a dating app. The 27-year-old was arrested on Thursday, December 29 and remains in police custody as part of the ongoing investigation. Officers from the force cyber crime…

Humberside Police are warning those looking for love online to be safe after a Grimsby man was arrested on suspicion of raping a woman he met via a dating app.

The 27-year-old was arrested on Thursday, December 29 and remains in police custody as part of the ongoing investigation.

Officers from the force cyber crime unit are using the case to reinforce the potential dangers around online dating.

Detective Inspector Rich Osgerby said: “Online relationships tend to progress far more quickly than those offline, as people feel more able to be more open and emotionally honest.

“The result of this is that individuals may then have a sense of being at more advanced stage in the relationship by the time they meet the person face-to-face and no longer regard them as a stranger, even though it is the first time they are meeting.

“This can lead to individuals taking more risks than they otherwise would and putting themselves into more vulnerable situations.”


Read our Lincolnshire Talks feature: Can people who use dating apps or websites always be trusted?


Online dating advice

Humberside Police have issued this helpful infographic to ensure that people stay as safe as possible on a date.