Children as young as six have been victims of sexual offences after accessing adult dating apps, according to police documents obtained by Sky News.
The documents, released under freedom of information laws, revealed more than 70 young people were victims of crimes including rape, sexual assault and blackmail after managing to circumvent age verification systems on popular dating apps like Grindr and Tinder.
Here is a list of responses from police forces from across England and Wales.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Six cases were reported between 2014 and 2018, including grooming, sexual activity with a child under 16 and causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity.
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Bedfordshire Police
Two cases were reported – one involving a 15-year-old boy and another involving a 16-year-old girl – but there was no further information on the type of crimes committed.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary
One case was reported in 2016 relating to sexual activity involving a child under 16.
Cheshire Constabulary
Seven cases were reported in 2018 and 2019, including four incidents of rape of a girl under 13 where the offender was 18 or older following contact on Tinder, as well as incidents of grooming and sexual activity with a child under 16.
Cleveland Police
Four incidents took place between 2017 and this year, including rape and stalking/harassment.
One case involved a man and his partner who allowed a 16-year-old boy from Grindr into their home. They gave him three bottles of wine, before engaging in oral sex and raping him after he passed out.
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary
Eleven cases were reported between 2014 and 2019, with the youngest victim a nine-year-old boy.
The force did not provide information on the type of incidents.
Derbyshire Constabulary
One case was reported involving the blackmail of a 14-year-old girl.
Durham Constabulary
Five cases were reported since 2015, with the youngest victim a six-year-old boy who was sexually groomed on Grindr.
Two boys aged 15 were also victims of sexual activity by penetration after contact on Grindr.
Gwent Police
Three cases were reported, including an 11-year-old girl who sent naked pictures of herself via a dating app and the sexual assault of a girl aged 16 following a meeting arranged on Tinder.
Hertfordshire Constabulary
Four cases were reported during 2016 and 2019, including sexual activity by penetration involving a child. In one case, the offender contacted a 15-year-old girl to say he wanted to sleep with her 14-year-old sister.
Northumbria Police
The force revealed one case this year in which someone purporting to be a 16-year-old befriended a 14-year-old girl on Tinder.
The pair continued contact and the offender sent sexually explicit messages and photos, including a video performing a sex act.
Staffordshire Police
Five cases were reported, including the rape of a 12-year-old girl and an offence of causing/inciting a nine-year-old boy to engage in sexual activity after meeting on Tinder.
