Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request by JF Law show a massive surge in regional offences over three years
A Freedom of Information request has shows Humberside Police has logged hundreds of crimes connected to TikTok(Image: lixu via Getty Images)
Humberside Police has logged hundreds of crimes connected to the social media platform TikTok, new data has revealed. New figures published following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request show hundreds of children and adults have become victims of TikTok-related crimes across Humberside, with 651 incidents being recorded over the last three years.
TikTok is named in each report, highlighting a growing trend of criminal activity where the social media platform is involved. However, legal experts stress this indicates the platform was mentioned contextually as part of the incident—such as being the setting for contact or interaction—rather than a direct cause of the crimes themselves.
The data was obtained through the FOI request by legal firm JF Law, which asked forces across the UK to give the number of crimes where Tik Tok appears in the Modus Operandi (MO) field or Investigation Summary of crime recording systems. Humberside Police also issued a breakdown of the crimes TikTok was connected to, as well as the same recorded crimes by the age of the victim.
The overall figure jumped from 186 recorded crimes in 2023 to 283 last year. Hull emerged as the main hotspot, with offences there dropping from 74 in 2023 to 64 in 2024, before increasing to 96 cases during 2025.
The East Riding of Yorkshire saw a steady rise in digital crimes, with incidents climbing from 29 cases to 46, before reaching a high of 55 recorded offences by the end of 2025. North East Lincolnshire logged 44 incidents initially, which dipped to 34, but then surged to 57 crimes in the final year.
In North Lincolnshire, criminal reports rose from 22 cases in 2023 to 31 in 2024, ultimately more than doubling to 52 last year. The specific offences recorded included blackmail, which soared from five in 2023 to 30 incidents in 2025.
Violent crime also featured heavily. Humberside Police documented 13 serious instances of assault with injury alongside eight cases of assault without injury during the 36 months. Investigators also logged an incident of causing sexual activity without consent, and the data also included three reported rape allegations linked to the social media platform.
Stalking also figured highly, with no less than 58 reports over the three years, while harassment accounted for a whopping 314 reports. Sexual grooming accounted for two reports, and there were 85 malicious communications reports.
Youngsters were frequently targeted across the patch, according to the data, with children aged under 13 accounting for 52 victims. Teenagers aged 13 to 17 accounted for 134 victims, with numbers more than doubling from 31 in 2024 to 64 cases in 2025.
The figures have been unveiled after the Government announced a sweeping social media ban. The restrictions specifically target under-16s across the UK, following moves already under way in Australia after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese implemented a strict ban on under-16s accessing social media networks in late 2025.
Ellie Lamey, a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) specialist at JF Law, said: “The sheer volume of these cases is a stark warning to parents and authorities alike,” said “We are seeing everyday platforms being weaponised by predators to target our youngest and most vulnerable, turning what should be a harmless online space into a digital hunting ground.
“The trauma inflicted by cyber-stalking, harassment, and online-facilitated abuse has profound, real-world consequences that can completely shatter a family’s sense of security.”
She added: “It is crucial that victims know there are concrete legal avenues available to fight back. Nobody should have to navigate this nightmare in silence, and we are committed to helping survivors secure the protection, justice, and support they need to move forward.”
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