Fraudsters discovering more potential avenues for blackmail have left police dealing with a record number of offences in West Yorkshire, analysis shows.
There were 1,016 cases of blackmail reported to West Yorkshire Police in 2021, up from 819 in 2020 and the most since comparable records began in 2012.
The crime – which is punishable by up to 14 years in jail – is one of the fastest growing over the last decade.
It comes after the National Crime Agency warned 'sextortion', or webcam blackmail – where victims are tricked into performing sexual acts on video – are a growing threat.
The virtual world poses one of the biggest blackmailing risks as society’s use of social media, dating apps and other online activities rise.
“Reports of blackmail and fraud offences have increased in West Yorkshire in recent years, mirroring the picture nationally,” a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said.
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“Within West Yorkshire, as a victim focused organisation, we continue to urge victims to come forward to report offending.
“Officers always advise anyone using an online dating app or website to be wary about what information they share on it.
“You would not disclose personal information to a stranger, so our advice would be to take the same approach when speaking online with people who you do not know, or those whose true identity you cannot verify.
“West Yorkshire Police is unequivocal in its commitment to keeping people safe and works with partners to identify and take action against those who use such apps and websites to commit crime.
“It is important that people who use these apps and websites feel safe when doing so, and we encourage anyone with concerns about their safety to report these to the police on 101.”
Victim Support has urged the Government and police forces across England and Wales to take the crime seriously.
Across England and Wales, there were 22,000 blackmail offences in 2021-22 – more than double the number before the coronavirus pandemic in 2019-20, and also a record figure.
The sharp increase could reflect more crimes or victims feeling more empowered to come forward, but Victim Support has warned many still choose not to as they feel embarrassed.
Diana Fawcett, chief executive of the charity, said: “This steep rise in reports of blackmail is seriously concerning – with only 1 per cent of cases resulting in a charge, we risk victims losing trust in the criminal justice system
"Police forces and the Government must take this crime seriously and get to the bottom of why we’re seeing this increase.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting police by funding crime prevention measures, including equipping police with better technology to help catch more criminals.
"We are working with partners across the criminal justice system to increase the number of cases being charged and prosecuted.”
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