Rape, stalking and blackmail in Cumbria - the dark side of dating apps revealed

Since 2017, Cumbria Constabulary has investigated a catalogue of crimes linked to popular dating sites including Tinder, Grindr and Plenty of Fish.

In addition, more ‘romance scams’ involving financial fraud have been reported to the national Action Fraud initiative.

The force has urged those seeking love to do all they can to keep themselves “safe and protected” while meeting people online.

The vast majority of those using dating sites in the hope of finding love do so without incident – but figures obtained by the N&S show at least 35 offences have been linked to leading dating platforms in recent years.

They include three rapes, seven blackmail offences, one case of sexual activity with a child, eight harassment claims and one stalking offence.

Read more: Online dating advice - from the police

Earlier this year, a Carlisle teen was handed a conditional discharge and a restraining order after threatening to stamp on his girlfriend’s head and slit her mother’s throat.

William Cowell, then 18, admitted sending threatening messages after meeting his girlfriend on Tinder.

And in 2018, serial rapist and “sexual sadist” Lee Savage was jailed for life after targeting women he met on Plenty of Fish.

The Penrith man attacked women from north Cumbria, Tyneside and Dumfries and Galloway.

Lee Savage targeted victims online

Figures disclosed to the N&S following a Freedom of Information request show 30 offences investigated by Cumbria Constabulary were dropped due to evidential difficulties.

One ended in a charge and three were closed due to there being no public interest in taking the case further.

Where gender was disclosed, 20 out of 24 suspects identified were male, while 16 out of 30 victims were female. One victim was under 18.

Detective Chief Inspector Vicki Coombes is Cumbria Constabulary’s lead officer on rape and serious sexual offences.

She said: “Many people now use online dating sites to meet people and form relationships.

“Most people using these sites are sincere and honest in the information they provide and in their reasons for joining.

“But there are exceptions and people using dating apps and sites need to be aware of how to keep themselves safe and protected while meeting people online.”

Of the crimes disclosed, 14 were linked to Tinder, 10 to Grindr, seven to Plenty of Fish, two to match.com and one for Bumble and Hinge, respectively.

Diana Fawcett, chief executive at Victim Support, said dating app companies must do more to protect users.

She said: “Crimes committed over dating apps can have a devastating impact on victims.

“In addition to harmful emotional or financial effects, many wrongly feel shame or embarrassment.

“There must be better systems in place to vet users more rigorously and detect potentially harmful behaviour.”

A spokesman for Grindr said it took the safety of its users seriously and publishes safety tips, while encouraging users to be careful when interacting with strangers and to report improper or illegal behaviour.

Bumble has a raft of safety measures associated with its platform, including photo verification, video calling features and the monitoring of hate speech and violence.

For offenders, use of dating sites represents just one way of reaching victims.

In many cases, it is likely they would have offended irrespective of how relationships were formed - and there is often no way a victim could anticipate how they would behave.

DCI Coombes recommends using social media to verify potential dates before meeting them and withholding key personal information.

She advised meeting in public on a first date and ensuring others know the location and who you are meeting.