An NSPCC investigation has revealed Facebook and apps owned by Facebook were used in more than half of online grooming cases where police disclosed which method predators used.
In the first nine months of a new offence of Sexual Communication with a Child, there were 1,628 crimes recorded in England and Wales, and police revealed what platform was used in 956 cases. In Yorkshire and Humberside there were 142 crimes with the youngest victim recorded as just seven-years-old.
Across England and Wales Facebook and apps it owns, Instagram and Whatsapp, were used in 52% of cases, with Facebook being the most-recorded site overall.
The NSPCC is calling on Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Matt Hancock to bring in a mandatory code to regulate social networks so that grooming can be prevented, rather than relying on police to intervene after harm has already been done.