August 14, 2017 2.53 pm This story is over 79 months old

Most common crimes associated with dating apps in Lincolnshire

The data has been released following a Freedom of Information request.

Dating apps can be very dangerous if not used with care, and this has been highlighted after offences linking to them in Lincolnshire have been revealed.

Following a Freedom of Information request to Lincolnshire Police, crimes associated with dating apps in Lincolnshire between January 2011 and June 2017 have been released.

The offences are linked to dating apps including ‘Grindr’, ‘Tinder’, ‘Plenty of Fish’, ‘Bumble’, ‘Match.com’ or ‘Happn’.

Offences relating to these apps over the last six years included:

  • Theft
  • Breach of a sex offender order
  • Intimidating a witness/juror
  • Bread of a non-molestation order
  • Rape
  • Common assault
  • Harassment without violence
  • Blackmail
  • Non-penetrative sexual activity with a boy aged between 13 and 15

A full list of crimes committed in Lincolnshire since 2011 relating to dating apps. Click/tap to zoom

Shockingly, most of the crimes committed in Lincolnshire relating to dating apps were linked to Plenty of Fish, which is owned by Match.com.

It was also found that five people, including a boy between the age of 13 and 15, had been sexually assaulted in Lincolnshire after first meeting someone on one of these dating sites. 

Hayley Child, Strategy Coordinator for Lincolnshire – Substance Misuse and Sexual Violence & Abuse previously told Lincolnshire Reporter: “It’s important to remember that anyone can pretend to be anyone when they are online and until you meet them in person you don’t even know what they look like.

“Implement as many safeguards as possible when you are going on a date.

“Whilst internet dating can be fun and exciting, it does hold an element of risk.

“If you implement as many safeguards as possible it will help you escape a difficult meeting as safely as possible.”