The number of reported incidents of rape or attempted rape, sexual assault, stalking and harassment in 2024

15 May 2025

Our Ref: FOI2025/03301                                           

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 Ref No: FOI2025/03301

I write in connection with your request for information received on 14 April 2025.  I note you seek access to the following information:

Request

I write in connection with your request for information received on 14th April.  I note you seek access to the following information:

I am writing under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request information regarding two questions:

1. The number of reported incidents of:

a) Rape or attempted rape (Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act)

b) Sexual assault by penetration (Section 2 of the Sexual Offences Act)

c) Sexual assault (Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act)

d) Stalking (Section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act)

e) Harassment (Section 2a of the Protection from Harassment Act)

where the free text associated with the incident report contains any of the following the words:

'online dating', 'internet dating’, 'tinder', 'bumble', 'feeld', 'match.com', ‘hinge’, 'eharmony’, ‘dating app’ or 'plenty of fish’

We would like this information for 1 Jan 2024 to 31 December 2024 (1 year), or the most recent 12 month period available.

2. Of all the reported incidents of sexual assault, rape, and stalking (etc) made to your constabulary in the most recent 12-month period, what proportion involved cases where the victim first met or connected with the perpetrator through a dating app?

We are collating this data from all police forces in the country for a broadcast project on rape and sexual assaults linked to dating apps and are on quite a tight deadline so would be great to have it ASAP.

Response

I am required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

Following enquiries within the Hertfordshire Constabulary please see our response below.

Reported Rapes, Sexual Assaults, Stalking & Harassment                               

January to December 2024                                

The crimes detailed below all make relevant mention of one or more of the following Keywords in the free text fields.

'online dating', 'internet dating’, 'Tinder', 'Bumble', 'Feeld', 'Match.com', ‘Hinge’, 'eharmony’, ‘dating app’ or 'Plenty of Fish'

The numerical data presented in this response is an un-audited snapshot of un-published data sourced from "live" systems and is subject to the interpretation of the original request by the individual extracting the data.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter please do not hesitate to contact me quoting the above reference number.

Yours sincerely
Information Rights

Hertfordshire Constabulary provides you the right to request an independent review of this response under its review procedure. If you require such a review, you must notify us within two months from the date of this letter. After lodging a complaint with Hertfordshire Constabulary if you are still dissatisfied with the decision, you may make an application to the Information Commissioner. For information on how to make a complaint please visit their website or contact them on 0303 123 1113.