Sevenfold rise in crime following proliferation of dating apps

The number of reported crimes involving sites such as Tinder and Grindr has increased sevenfold in the last two years, according to figures released from 30 police forces under the Freedom of Information Act.

While 2013 saw only 55 crimes reported to the police, 2014 saw that number increase dramatically to 204 alleged incidents, before rising again to 412 last year.

Crimes of a violent or sexual nature were the most common, with police forces reporting 253 allegations of violence and 152 for offences including grooming and rape.

Deputy chief constable Andy Cooke urged those who use dating apps to be security conscious and not to share personal data with anyone until sure about with whom you are communicating.

'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.'

A blind eye to risk

Kevin Poulter, SJ's editor at large and a legal director at Bircham Dyson Bell, said the statistics showed that users were either turning a blind eye to the risk or were not giving it the consideration it deserves.

'Many dating apps, and others, make use of smartphone technology that includes location data,' explained Poulter. 'This, together with a lapse in care or common sense, can provide criminals with the opportunity they need to find potential victims.

'It may be the ease with which these apps provide users to make connections and set up dates that leads some into danger, but how much responsibility should fall on the service providers?'

Acknowledging that some dating apps provide safety tips and advice, Poulter added that though the most vulnerable may pay attention to warnings notices, regular users soon blank them out, 'as many of us do with advertisements or other system messages'.

'There is a real risk that many more crimes of this type are being committed but go unreported, simply because of a victim's concern for personal privacy or, perhaps, a sense of embarrassment,' he continued.

'The police and service providers must do more to encourage the reporting of these types of crime and make reporting as easy and accessible as possible.'